EP3080239B1 - Cleaning performance enhancer for automatic dishwasher detergents - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the use of a composition for improving the cleaning performance of a machine dishwashing detergent over bleachable and stubborn stains that can be used together with a dishwasher detergent in a normal dishwashing process, and a combination product containing this detergency booster together with a dishwasher detergent. Also included is a method for cleaning dishes in an automatic dishwashing machine using this cleaning force enhancer.

The most important criterion in automatic dishwashing is the cleaning performance on a wide variety of soiling, which are introduced into the dishwasher in the form of food residues. In particular, there is a general need for dishwashing detergents with increased cleaning performance on bleachable stains, such as tea, or stubborn, burned stains. An unsatisfactory cleaning performance of such soiling is observed especially in liquid, neutral cleaners, but also in phosphate-reduced or phosphate-free cleaners.

Although cleaning power boosters are generally known, they contain acids, especially citric acid. This leads to a lowering of the pH value in the rinsing liquor and to the loss of the alkalinity which is important for the rinsing performance, above all for the effective removal of burned-on soiling. The result is therefore a poorer cleaning result on stubborn, baked stains.

WO 2010/149695 and WO 2008/095560 disclose automatic dishwashing detergents comprising aminocarboxylic acids as organic builders.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machine dishwashing detergent power booster which overcomes the known disadvantages.

It has now been found that a composition which contains a strong organic complexing agent and has an overall neutral to alkaline pH significantly improves the cleaning performance of conventional automatic dishwasher detergents.

In a first aspect, therefore, the present invention is directed to the use of a composition having a pH in the range 7-14, preferably 8.5-12, containing at least one organic builder, wherein the at least one organic builder is present in an amount of at least 25% by weight, in particular at least 30% by weight, preferably at least 35% by weight, particularly preferably at least 40% by weight, most preferably at least 45% by weight based on the composition, the absolute amount of the at least one organic builder in the composition is 1-25 g / job, preferably 2-20 g / job, more preferably 4-12 g / job, and the at least one organic builder one Aminocarboxylic acid, which is preferably selected from methylglycine acetic acid (MGDA) and its salts, glutamic diacetic acid (GLDA) and its salts, and ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA) and its salts, for improving the detergency of automatic dishwashing detergent in an automatic dishwashing machine, wherein the A pre-portioned detergency enhancing composition is present in a water-soluble film, wherein the pre-portioned form has a total weight of 25-40 g. In the described use, the composition may be used in conjunction with a machine dishwashing detergent in a normal cleaning cycle for cleaning dirty dishes.

"At least one" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and more.

"Normal cleaning cycle" as used herein refers to a program for cleaning dishes of an automatic dishwashing machine. Such a cleaning cycle may include one or more pre-rinse steps, one or more main rinse steps, and one or more drying steps. Such a cleaning cycle involves the automatic cleaning / rinsing of soiled dishes.

"Cleaning performance", as used herein, refers to the property of ridding hard surfaces, particularly the surface of dishes, of soils, especially food scraps. An "improvement in cleaning performance" thus means an improved removal of such soiling compared to a reference method.

Likewise provided by the present invention is a method for cleaning and / or maintaining dishes in an automatic dishwashing machine, in which a composition (cleaning force booster) comprising at least one organic builder and a pH is used in a normal cleaning cycle in addition to a machine dishwashing detergent Value in the range 7-14, preferably 8.5-12, wherein the at least one organic builder in an amount of at least 25 wt.%, In particular at least 30 wt.%, Preferably at least 35 wt.%, Particularly preferably at least 40 % By weight, most preferably at least 45% by weight of the composition, the absolute amount of the at least one organic builder in the composition is 1-25 g / job, preferably 2-20 g / job, more preferably 4-12 g / job, and the at least one organic builder is an aminocarboxylic acid, which is preferably selected from methylglycines acetic acid (MGDA) and its salts, glutamic diacetic acid (GLDA) and its salts, and ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA) and its salts, wherein the detergency enhancing composition is in preportioned form in a water soluble film, the preportioned form having a total weight of 25-40 g having. Finally, the present invention is also directed to a combination product comprising, in separate formulations, preferably in each pre-portioned form, a detergency booster composition and an automatic dishwashing detergent machine, wherein the detergency enhancer composition comprises at least one organic builder and a pH in the range 7-14, preferably 8.5-12, wherein the at least one organic builder in an amount of at least 25 wt.%, In particular at least 30 wt.%, Preferably at least 35 wt.%, Particularly preferably at least 40 wt. %, most preferably at least 45% by weight of the composition, the absolute amount of the at least one organic builder in the composition is 1-25 g / job, preferably 2-20 g / job, more preferably 4-12 g / job is at least one organic builder is an amino carboxylic acid, preferably is selected from methylglycine acetic acid (MGDA) and its salts, glutamic diacetic acid (GLDA) and its salts, and ethylenediamine diacetic acid (EDDA) and its salts, wherein the cleaning power fortification composition is in preportioned form in a water soluble film, the preportioned form having a total weight of 25 -40 g. The automatic dishwashing detergent may be a liquid and / or solid dishwashing detergent conventionally used in the art, formulated, for example, as a tablet or pouch; Furthermore, it may be in a water-insoluble, water-soluble or water-dispersible film, in particular in a polyvinyl alcohol-containing film.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the following detailed description and claims. Any feature of one aspect of the invention may be employed in any other aspect of the invention. Further, it is to be understood that the examples contained herein are intended to describe and illustrate the invention, but not to limit it, and in particular that the invention is not limited to these examples. All percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified. Numeric ranges indicated in the format "from x to y" include the above values. If multiple preferred numeric ranges are specified in this format, it is understood that all ranges resulting from the combination of the various endpoints are also captured.

The strong organic builders used in the compositions herein are aminocarboxylic acids and / or their salts. Particularly preferred members of this class are methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) or its salts, and glutamic diacetic acid (GLDA) or its salts, or ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA) or its salts, most preferably MGDA. Also suitable are iminodisuccinic acid (IDS) and iminodiacetic acid (IDA).

The organic builder is in an amount of at least 25 wt.%, In particular at least 30 wt.%, Preferably at least 35 wt.%, Particularly preferably at least 40 wt.%, Am most preferably at least 45% by weight, based on the agent used. In certain embodiments, the agent contains 30 to 100% by weight, preferably 30 to 90% by weight, 30 to 80% by weight, 30 to 70% by weight or 30 to 60% by weight of the at least one organic builder. In various embodiments, the amount of the at least one organic builder in the composition is at least 50 wt%, at least 55 wt%, at least 60 wt%, at least 65 wt%, at least 70 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 80% by weight, at least 85% by weight, at least 90% by weight or at least 95% by weight. The absolute amount of the at least one organic builder in the composition is 1-25 g / job, preferably 2-20 g / job, more preferably 4-12 g / job. The term "g / job" in this context means that the composition, ie the detergency booster, in a quantity and form intended for a single use contains the said amount of organic builder. It has been found that, in particular with amounts of 10 g and more per application, good results can be achieved in increasing the cleaning performance of a machine dishwashing detergent.

The agents described herein may further contain at least one nonionic surfactant. As nonionic surfactants, it is possible to use all nonionic surfactants known to the person skilled in the art.

Suitable nonionic surfactants are, for example, methyl-branched aliphatic radical, the symbol are alkyl glycosides of the general formula RO (G) _x, a primary straight-chain R or methyl-branched, especially in the 2-position having from 8 to 22 and preferably corresponds to 12 to 18 C-atoms and G which is a glycose unit having 5 or 6 C atoms, preferably glucose. The degree of oligomerization x, which indicates the distribution of monoglycosides and oligoglycosides, is any number between 1 and 10; preferably x is 1.2 to 1.4.

Another class of useful nonionic surfactants which can be used either as the sole nonionic surfactant or in combination with other nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, preferably having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.

Nonionic surfactants of the amine oxide type, for example N-cocoalkyl-N, N-dimethylamine oxide and N-tallowalkyl-N, N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, and the fatty acid alkanolamides may also be suitable. The amount of these nonionic surfactants is preferably not more than that of the ethoxylated fatty alcohols, especially not more than half thereof.

Further suitable surfactants are the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides known as PHFA.

However, low-foaming nonionic surfactants are preferably used, in particular alkoxylated, especially ethoxylated, low-foaming nonionic surfactants. With special The automatic dishwasher detergents preferably contain nonionic surfactants from the group of the alkoxylated alcohols.

Particular preference is given to nonionic surfactants which have a melting point above room temperature. Nonionic (s) surfactants having a melting point above 20 ° C, preferably above 25 ° C, more preferably between 25 and 60 ° C and especially between 26.6 and 43.3 ° C, is / are particularly preferred.

Preferably used surfactants come from the groups of alkoxylated nonionic surfactants, in particular the ethoxylated primary alcohols and mixtures of these surfactants with structurally complicated surfactants such as polyoxypropylene / polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene ((PO / EO / PO) surfactants). Such (PO / EO / PO) nonionic surfactants are also characterized by good foam control.

bevorzugt, in der R¹ für einen geradkettigen oder verzweigten, gesättigten oder ein- bzw. mehrfach ungesättigten C_6-24-Alkyl- oder -Alkenylrest steht; jede Gruppe R² bzw. R³ unabhängig voneinander ausgewählt ist aus -CH₃, -CH₂CH₃, -CH₂CH₂-CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂ und die Indizes w, x, y, z unabhängig voneinander für ganze Zahlen von 1 bis 6 stehen.Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants are those which have alternating ethylene oxide and alkylene oxide units. Among these, in turn, surfactants with EO-AO-EO-AO blocks are preferred, wherein in each case one to ten EO or AO groups are bonded to each other before a block of the other groups follows. Here are nonionic surfactants of the general formula

in which R ^{1 is} a straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C _6-24 alkyl or alkenyl radical; each group R ² or R ^{3 is} independently selected from -CH ₃ , -CH ₂ CH ₃ , -CH ₂ CH ₂ -CH ₃ , CH (CH ₃ ) ₂ and the indices w, x, y, z independently stand for integers from 1 to 6.

Thus, particularly preferred are nonionic surfactants having a C _9-15 alkyl group having 1 to 4 ethylene oxide units followed by 1 to 4 propylene oxide units followed by 1 to 4 ethylene oxide units followed by 1 to 4 propylene oxide units.

• R¹ für einen geradkettigen oder verzweigten, gesättigten oder ein- bzw. mehrfach ungesättigten C_6-24-Alkyl- oder -Alkenylrest steht;
• R² für H oder einen linearen oder verzweigten Kohlenwasserstoffrest mit 2 bis 26 Kohlenstoffatomen steht;
• A, A', A" und A'" unabhängig voneinander für einen Rest aus der Gruppe -CH₂CH₂, -CH₂CH₂-CH₂, -CH₂-CH(CH₃), -CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-CH₂, -CH₂-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-, - CH₂-CH(CH₂-CH₃) stehen,
• w, x, y und z für Werte zwischen 0,5 und 120 stehen, wobei x, y und/oder z auch 0 sein können.

Preferred nonionic surfactants here are those of the general formula R ¹ -CH (OH) CH ₂ O- (AO) _w - (A'O) _x - (A "O) _y - (A '''O) _z -R ² , in the

• R ^{1 is} a straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C _6-24 alkyl or alkenyl radical;
• R ^{2 is} H or a linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 26 carbon atoms;
• A, A ', A "and A'" independently represent a radical from the group -CH ₂ CH ₂ , -CH ₂ CH ₂ -CH ₂ , -CH ₂ -CH (CH ₃ ), -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ , -CH ₂ -CH (CH ₃ ) -CH ₂ -, - CH ₂ -CH (CH ₂ -CH ₃ ),
• w, x, y and z are values between 0.5 and 120, where x, y and / or z can also be 0.

Preference is given in particular to those end-capped, poly (oxyalkylated) nonionic surfactants which, in accordance with the formula R ¹ O [CH ₂ CH ₂ O] _x CH ₂ CH (OH) R ² , in addition to a radical R ¹ , which is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, furthermore having a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical R ² having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, where x is from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and 90, preferably for values between 30 and 80 and in particular for values between 30 and 60.

Particularly preferred are surfactants of the formula R ¹ O [CH ₂ CH (CH ₃ ) O] _x [CH ₂ CH ₂ O] _y CH ₂ CH (OH) R ² , in which R ^{1 is} a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical with 4 R ^{2 is} a linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 26 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof and x is values between 0.5 and 1.5 and y is a value of at least 15.
The group of these nonionic surfactants include, for example, the C _2-26 fatty alcohol (PO) ₁ - (EO) _15-40 -2-hydroxyalkyl ethers, in particular also the C _8-10 fatty alcohol (PO) ₁ - (EO) ₂₂ -2 -hydroxydecylether.

Particular preference is furthermore given to those end-capped poly (oxyalkylated) nonionic surfactants of the formula R ¹ O [CH ₂ CH ₂ O] _x [CH ₂ CH (R ³ ) O] _y CH ₂ CH (OH) R ² , in which R ¹ and R ² independently of one another is a linear or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 26 carbon atoms, R ^{3 is} independently selected from -CH ₃ , -CH ₂ CH ₃ , -CH ₂ CH ₂ -CH ₃ , -CH (CH ₃ ) ₂ , but preferably -CH ₃ , and x and y are independently from each other values between 1 and 32, wherein nonionic surfactants with R ³ = -CH ₃ and values of x from 15 to 32 and y of 0.5 and 1.5 are very particularly preferred.

Other preferred nonionic surfactants are the end-capped poly (oxyalkylated) nonionic surfactants of the formula R ¹ O [CH ₂ CH (R ³ ) O] _x [CH ₂ ] _k CH (OH) [CH ₂ ] _j OR ² in which R ¹ and R ² is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R ³ is H or a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, 2- Butyl or 2-methyl-2-butyl radical, x are values between 1 and 30, k and j are values between 1 and 12, preferably between 1 and 5. When the value x ≥ 2, each R ³ in the above formula R ¹ O [CH ₂ CH (R ³ ) O] _x [CH ₂ ] _k CH (OH) [CH ₂ ] _j OR ^{2 may be} different. R ¹ and R ² are preferably linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, with radicals having 8 to 18 carbon atoms being particularly preferred. For the rest R ³ is H, -CH ₃ or -CH ₂ CH ₃ particularly preferred. Particularly preferred values for x are in the range from 1 to 20, in particular from 6 to 15.

As described above, each R ³ in the above formula may be different if x ≥ 2. As a result, the alkylene oxide unit in the square bracket can be varied. Is for example, x 3, the radical R may be selected ³ to form ethylene oxide (R ³ = H) or propylene oxide (R ³ = CH ₃₎ units which can be joined together in any order, for example, (EO) ( PO) (EO), (EO) (EO) (PO), (EO) (EO) (EO), (PO) (EO) (PO), (PO) (PO) (EO) and (PO) ( PO) (PO). The value 3 for x has been selected here by way of example and may well be greater, with the variation width increasing with increasing x values and including, for example, a large number (EO) groups combined with a small number (PO) groups, or vice versa ,

Particularly preferred end-capped poly (oxyalkylated) alcohols of the above formula have values of k = 1 and j = 1 such that the above formula is R ¹ O [CH ₂ CH (R ³ ) O] _x CH ₂ CH (OH ) CH ₂ OR ² simplified. In the latter formula, R ¹ , R ² and R ^{3 are} as defined above and x is from 1 to 30, preferably from 1 to 20 and in particular from 6 to 18. Particularly preferred are surfactants in which the radicals R ¹ and R ^{2 has} 9 to 14 C atoms, R ^{3 is} H and x assumes values of 6 to 15.

• R¹ für einen geradkettigen oder verzweigten, gesättigten oder ein- bzw. mehrfach ungesättigten C_6-24-Alkyl- oder-Alkenylrest steht;
• R² für einen linearen oder verzweigten Kohlenwasserstoffrest mit 2 bis 26 Kohlenstoffatomen steht;
• A für einen Rest aus der Gruppe CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH(CH₃), vorzugsweise für CH₂CH₂ steht, und
• w für Werte zwischen 1 und 120, vorzugsweise 10 bis 80, insbesondere 20 bis 40 steht.

Zur Gruppe dieser nichtionischen Tenside zählen beispielsweise die C_4-22 Fettalkohol-(EO)_10-80-2-hydroxyalkylether, insbesondere auch die C_8-12 Fettalkohol-(EO)₂₂-2-hydroxydecylether und die C_4-22 Fettalkohol-(EO)_40-80-2-hydroxyalkylether.Finally, the nonionic surfactants of the general formula R ¹ -CH (OH) CH ₂ O- (AO) _w -R ^{2 have} proven to be particularly effective, in which

• R ^{1 is} a straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C _6-24 alkyl or alkenyl radical;
• R ^{2 is} a linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 26 carbon atoms;
• A is a radical from the group CH ₂ CH ₂ , CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ , CH ₂ CH (CH ₃ ), preferably CH ₂ CH ₂ , and
• w stands for values between 1 and 120, preferably 10 to 80, in particular 20 to 40.

The group of these nonionic surfactants include, for example, the C _4-22 fatty alcohol (EO) _10-80 -2-hydroxyalkyl ethers, in particular also the C _8-12 fatty alcohol (EO) ₂₂ -2-hydroxydecyl ethers and the C _4-22 fatty alcohol (EO) _40-80 -2-hydroxyalkyl ether.

In various embodiments of the invention, instead of the above-defined end-capped hydroxy mixed ethers, it is also possible to use the corresponding non-end-capped hydroxy mixed ethers. These may satisfy the above formulas, but R ² is hydrogen and R ¹ , R ³ , A, A ', A ", A'", w, x, y and z are as defined above.

The compositions described herein, which comprise at least one nonionic surfactant, preferably a nonionic surfactant from the group of hydroxy mixed ethers, contain the surfactant in various embodiments in an amount based on the total weight of the composition of at least 5 wt.%, Preferably at least 10 wt. %. In specific embodiments, the amount may be more than 10% by weight, for example 11-15% by weight. For example, the amounts used per application may be in the range of 1.2-10 g / job, preferably in the range of 2-5 g / job.

In general, the pH of the compositions described herein can be adjusted by means of conventional pH regulators. According to the invention, the pH of the composition is in a range from 7.0 to 14.0, preferably 8.5 to 12. The pH adjusters are preferably alkalis. Suitable bases are selected from the group of alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides and carbonates, in particular the alkali metal carbonates, of which sodium carbonate is preferred.

The cleaning power amplification agents described herein may contain at least one further constituent, preferably selected from the group consisting of further builders, in particular alkali carriers, preferably alkali metal carbonates, more preferably sodium carbonate, other surfactants, especially anionic surfactants, polymers, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, glass corrosion inhibitors, disintegration aids, Contains fragrances and perfume carriers.

In preferred embodiments, the agent is phosphate and / or phosphonate free. In other preferred embodiments, the agent is bleach-free. "Phosphate-free" and "phosphonate-free" as used herein means that the subject composition is substantially free of phosphates or phosphonates, i. in particular phosphates or phosphonates in amounts less than 0.1 wt .-%, preferably less than 0.01 wt .-% based on the total composition. Analogously, "bleach-free" as used herein means that the subject composition is substantially free of bleaching agents, i. known bleaching agents or substances suitable as bleaching agents in amounts less than 0.1 wt .-%, preferably less than 0.01 wt .-% based on the total composition.

Preferred anionic surfactants are fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, dialkyl ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefinsulfonates, alkanesulfonates, ether sulfonates, n-alkyl ether sulfonates, ester sulfonates and lignosulfonates. Also usable in the context of the present invention are fatty acid cyanamides, sulfosuccinates (sulfosuccinic esters), in particular sulfosuccinic mono- and di-C ₈ -C ₁₈ -alkyl esters, sulfosuccinamates, sulfosuccinamides, fatty acid isethionates, acylaminoalkanesulfonates (fatty acid taurides), fatty acid sarcosinates, ether carboxylic acids and alkyl (ether) phosphates and α-sulfofatty acid salts, acylglutamates, monoglyceride disulfates and alkyl ethers of glycerol disulfate.

The anionic surfactants are preferably used as sodium salts, but may also be present as other alkali or alkaline earth metal salts, for example potassium or magnesium salts, and in the form of ammonium or mono-, di-, tri- or tetraalkylammonium salts, in the case of the sulfonates also in the form of their corresponding acid, eg Dodecylbenzenesulfonic.

The additional builders that can be used include in particular carbonates, organic cobuilders and silicates.

For example, it is possible to use carbonate (s) and / or bicarbonate (s), preferably alkali metal carbonate (s), more preferably sodium carbonate. Alkali carbonates, especially sodium carbonate, can, as mentioned above, also be used as pH adjusting agents and are contained in various embodiments of the invention in an amount of 15-50% by weight, preferably 20-40% by weight, based on the composition.

Particularly suitable organic co-builders are polycarboxylates / polycarboxylic acids, polymeric carboxylates, aspartic acid, polyacetals and dextrins.

Useful organic builders are, for example, the polycarboxylic acids which can be used in the form of the free acid and / or their sodium salts, polycarboxylic acids meaning those carboxylic acids which carry more than one acid function. These are, for example, citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, sugar acids, aminocarboxylic acids, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), if such use is not objectionable for ecological reasons, and mixtures of these.

Other suitable builders are polymeric polycarboxylates, for example the alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid, for example those having a relative molecular mass of 500 to 70,000 g / mol.

Suitable polymers are, in particular, polyacrylates which preferably have a molecular weight of 2,000 to 20,000 g / mol. Because of their superior solubility, the short-chain polyacrylates, which have molar masses of from 2000 to 10000 g / mol, and particularly preferably from 3000 to 5000 g / mol, may again be preferred from this group.

The agents can also be builders of crystalline layered silicates of the general formula NaMSi _x O _{2x + 1} .yH ₂ O, where M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 22, preferably from 1.9 to 4, where Particularly preferred values for x are 2, 3 or 4, and y is a number from 0 to 33, preferably from 0 to 20. It is also possible to use amorphous sodium silicates with a modulus of Na ₂ O: SiO _{2 of} from 1: 2 to 1: 3.3, preferably from 1: 2 to 1: 2.8 and in particular from 1: 2 to 1: 2.6, which are preferably delay-delayed and have secondary washing properties.

In preferred compositions, the content of silicates, based on the total weight of the dishwashing detergent, is limited to amounts below 10% by weight, preferably below 5% by weight and in particular below 2% by weight. Particularly preferred agents are silicate-free.

As perfume oils or perfumes, within the scope of the present invention, individual fragrance compounds, e.g. the synthetic products of the ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol and hydrocarbon type are used. Preferably, however, mixtures of different fragrances are used, which together produce an attractive fragrance. Such perfume oils may also contain natural fragrance mixtures such as are available from vegetable sources, e.g. Pine, citrus, jasmine, patchouli, rose or ylang-ylang oil.

The formulation of cleaning enhancers described herein can be done in different ways. The funds may be in fixed or liquid form. Powder, granules, extrudates, compacts, in particular tablets, are particularly suitable as firm supply forms. The liquid supply forms based on water and / or organic solvents may be thickened, in the form of gels or pastes.

The agents described herein are preformed into dosage units. These dosing units comprise the amount of cleaning-active substances necessary for the desired cleaning power boost. Preferred metering units have a weight between 25 and 40 g and in particular between 30 and 36 g. In order to achieve an optimum cleaning result, the agents are in the form of a prefabricated dosing unit and contain between 1 and 25, preferably between 2 and 20 g, more preferably between 4 and 12 g of the organic builder and optionally between 1.2 and 10 g, preferably between 2 and 5 g of nonionic surfactant (s). The volume of the aforementioned metering units and their spatial form are selected with particular preference so that the metering of the prefabricated units can not take place via the metering chamber of a dishwasher, but the unit must be placed directly into the interior of the dishwasher.

In the combination products described herein, both the detergency boosters described herein and the dishwashing detergent are preferably in pre-assembled dosage units. Preferred dosing units of the dishwashing detergents have a weight of between 12 and 30 g, preferably between 15 and 25 g and in particular between 18 and 22 g. The volume of the aforementioned metering units and their spatial form are with particular preference chosen so that the metering of the prefabricated units can be done via the metering chamber of a dishwasher.

The compositions and compositions described herein, especially the prefabricated dosage units of the cleaning power enhancers, but also those of the dishwashing compositions, most preferably comprise a water-soluble coating.

The water-soluble coating is preferably formed from a water-soluble film material selected from the group consisting of polymers or polymer blends. The wrapper may be formed of one or two or more layers of the water-soluble film material. The water-soluble film material of the first layer and the further layers, if present, may be the same or different. Particularly preferred are films which, for example, can be glued and / or sealed to packages such as hoses or cushions after being filled with an agent.

It is preferable that the water-soluble coating contains polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer. Water-soluble coatings containing polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer have a good stability with a sufficiently high water solubility, in particular cold water solubility on.

Suitable water-soluble films for producing the water-soluble coating are preferably based on a polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer whose molecular weight is in the range of 10,000 to 1,000,000 gmol ^-1 , preferably 20,000 to 500,000 gmol ^-1 , more preferably 30,000 to 100,000 gmol ^-1 and especially from 40,000 to 80,000 gmol ^-1 .

The production of polyvinyl alcohol is usually carried out by hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate, since the direct synthesis route is not possible. The same applies to polyvinyl alcohol copolymers which are prepared from correspondingly polyvinyl acetate copolymers. It is preferred if at least one layer of the water-soluble coating comprises a polyvinyl alcohol whose degree of hydrolysis makes up 70 to 100 mol%, preferably 80 to 90 mol%, particularly preferably 81 to 89 mol% and in particular 82 to 88 mol%.

In addition, a polymer selected from the group consisting of (meth) acrylic acid-containing (co) polymers, polyacrylamides, oxazoline polymers, polystyrenesulfonates, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyethers, polylactic acid, or mixtures of the above may be additionally used in a polyvinyl alcohol-containing film material suitable for producing the water-soluble coating Be added polymers. A preferred additional polymer is polylactic acids.

Preferred polyvinyl alcohol copolymers include, in addition to vinyl alcohol, dicarboxylic acids as further monomers. Suitable dicarboxylic acids are itaconic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and mixtures thereof, with itaconic acid being preferred.

Likewise preferred polyvinyl alcohol copolymers include, in addition to vinyl alcohol, an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, its salt or its esters. Such polyvinyl alcohol copolymers particularly preferably contain, in addition to vinyl alcohol, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylates, methacrylates or mixtures thereof.

It may be preferred that the film material contains further additives. The film material may contain, for example, plasticizers such as dipropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, mannitol or mixtures thereof. Further additives include, for example, release aids, fillers, crosslinking agents, surfactants, antioxidants, UV absorbers, antiblocking agents, anti-sticking agents or mixtures thereof.

Suitable water-soluble films for use in the water-soluble casings of the water-soluble packaging according to the invention are films sold by the company MonoSol LLC, for example under the designation M8630, C8400 or M8900. Other suitable films include films named Solublon® PT, Solublon® GA, Solublon® KC or Solublon® KL from Aicello Chemical Europe GmbH or the films VF-HP from Kuraray.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition for cleaning power reinforcement is in solid, in particular in powder form and / or in pre-portioned form and / or is in a water-insoluble, water-soluble or water-dispersible packaging, in particular in a polyvinyl alcohol-containing film.

In a further preferred embodiment, the composition for cleaning power reinforcement is in liquid form and / or in pre-portioned form and / or is in a water-insoluble, water-soluble or water-dispersible packaging, in particular in a polyvinyl alcohol-containing film.

Finally, the invention also relates to a dishwashing process, in particular a machine dishwashing process, in which a cleaning power amplifier according to the invention is used. The subject of the present application is therefore also a process for cleaning dishes in a dishwasher, in which the cleaning power amplifier according to the invention is metered into the interior of a dishwasher during the passage of a dishwashing program before the main wash cycle or during the main wash cycle. The metering or the entry of the agent according to the invention into the interior of the dishwasher can be done manually.

Examples Example 1: Increase of the cleaning performance of a dishwashing detergent

1. (1) alleine (Rezeptur 0);
2. (2) in Kombination mit 5 g MGDA-Granulat (Aktivgehalt 78 Gew.%) und 14 g Plurafac 220 (= Fettalkoholalkoxylat) (Rezeptur 1);
3. (3) in Kombination mit 10 g MGDA-Granulat (Aktivgehalt 78 Gew.%) und 14 g Plurafac 220 (Rezeptur 2);
4. (4) in Kombination mit 10 g MGDA-Granulat (Aktivgehalt 78 Gew.%) (Rezeptur 3); und
5. (5) in Kombination mit 14 g Plurafac 220 (Rezeptur 4)

getestet. Der Test wurde mittels einer Standard-IKW-Methode in einer Miele-Geschirrspülmaschine bei 50 °C und einer Wasserhärte von 21°DH durchgeführt und die Reinigungsleistung an der bleichbaren Anschmutzung Tee sowie den hartnäckigen Anschmutzungen Milch und Hackfleisch betrachtet (Auswertung: je höher der Wert, desto besser die Leistung). Die Ergebnisse sind in Tabelle 2 dargestellt. Tabelle 1: Zusammensetzung des Geschirrspülmittels Phase 1 (61,56 Gew.%) Gew.% g/job Bleichmittel 14,27 2,71 Bleichaktivator 0,31 0,06 Phosphat 13,84 2,63 Soda 18,16 3,45 HEDP 1,47 0,28 Acrylat-Polymer 4,00 0,76 Sulfopolymer 5,79 1,10 Nichtionische Tenside 2,90 0,55 Reste (Wasser, Parfüm, Farbstoffe, etc.) ad 61,56 ad 11,70 Phase 2 (24,21 Gew.%) Gew.% g/job Enzyme 1,53 0,29 Phosphat 16,68 3,17 Bleichaktivator 2,37 0,45 Acrylat-Polymer 1,01 0,19 Zn-Acetat 0,20 0,04 Nichtionische Tenside 1,46 0,28 Reste (Wasser, Parfüm, Farbstoffe, etc.) ad 24,21 ad 4,60 Phase 3 (14,23 Gew.%) Gew.% g/job Soda 2,37 0,45 Phosphat 10,99 2,09 Nichtionisches Tensid 0,27 0,05 PEG 4000 0,53 0,10 Reste (Wasser, Parfüm, Farbstoffe, etc.) ad 14,23 ad 2,70 GESAMT 100,00 19,00 Tabelle 2: Reinigungsleistung Tee Milch Hackfleisch Rezeptur 0 5,3 4,9 7,0 Rezeptur 1 5,8 5,7 9,4 Rezeptur 2 8,7 6,3 9,7 Rezeptur 3 8,6 6,2 9,4 Rezeptur 4 5,4 5,6 7,3 The basic formula used is a three-phase, medium-performance dishwashing tablet having the composition shown in Table 1. This basic formula was

1. (1) alone (recipe 0);
2. (2) in combination with 5 g of MGDA granules (active content 78% by weight) and 14 g of Plurafac 220 (= fatty alcohol alkoxylate) (formulation 1);
3. (3) in combination with 10 g of MGDA granules (active content 78% by weight) and 14 g of Plurafac 220 (formulation 2);
4. (4) in combination with 10 g of MGDA granules (active content 78% by weight) (formulation 3); and
5. (5) in combination with 14 g Plurafac 220 (recipe 4)

tested. The test was carried out by means of a standard IKW method in a Miele dishwasher at 50 ° C and a water hardness of 21 ° DH and the cleaning performance of the bleachable soil tea and the persistent soils milk and minced meat considered (evaluation: the higher the value the better the performance). The results are shown in Table 2. Table 1: Composition of the dishwashing detergent Phase 1 (61.56% by weight) Wt.% g / job bleach 14.27 2.71 bleach 0.31 0.06 phosphate 13.84 2.63 soda 18.16 3.45 HEDP 1.47 0.28 Acrylate polymer 4.00 0.76 sulfopolymer 5.79 1.10 Nonionic surfactants 2.90 0.55 Remains (water, perfume, dyes, etc.) ad 61.56 ad 11.70 Phase 2 (24.21% by weight) Wt.% g / job enzymes 1.53 0.29 phosphate 16.68 3.17 bleach 2.37 0.45 Acrylate polymer 1.01 0.19 Zn acetate 0.20 0.04 Nonionic surfactants 1.46 0.28 Remains (water, perfume, dyes, etc.) ad 24,21 ad 4,60 Phase 3 (14.23% by weight) Wt.% g / job soda 2.37 0.45 phosphate 10.99 2.09 Nonionic surfactant 0.27 0.05 PEG 4000 0.53 0.10 Remains (water, perfume, dyes, etc.) ad 14,23 ad 2.70 TOTAL 100.00 19,00 tea milk minced meat Recipe 0 5.3 4.9 7.0 Recipe 1 5.8 5,7 9.4 Recipe 2 8.7 6.3 9.7 Recipe 3 8.6 6.2 9.4 Recipe 4 5.4 5.6 7.3

The formulations according to the invention 1, 2 and 3 show a significantly better performance on all soils compared to the basic formula. Compared with the use of additional surfactant (formula 4), the performance of all three recipes for minced meat soils is significantly better and when using larger quantities of MGDA, a better effect on tea and milk soiling can also be observed. The additional use of surfactant in Formulation 2 shows no significant improvement compared to the use of MGDA alone (Formulation 3).

Claims (10)

1. The use of a composition having a pH in the range of from 7 to 14, preferably from 8.5 to 12, and containing at least one organic builder, wherein the at least one organic builder is contained in an amount of at least 25 wt.%, in particular at least 30 wt.%, preferably at least 35 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 40 wt.%, most preferably at least 45 wt.%, based on the composition, the absolute amount of the at least one organic builder in the composition is from 1 to 25 g/job, preferably from 2 to 20 g/job, more preferably from 4 to 12 g/job, and the at least one organic builder is an aminocarboxylic acid, which is preferably selected from methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and the salts thereof, glutaminediacetic acid (GLDA) and the salts thereof, and ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA) and the salts thereof, for improving the cleaning performance of an automatic dishwasher detergent during the automatic dishwashing process in an automatic dishwasher, wherein the composition for improving cleaning performance is present in pre-portioned form in a water-soluble film, wherein the pre-portioned form has a total weight of from 25 to 40 g.
2. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition is used, together with an automatic dishwasher detergent, in a normal cleaning cycle for cleaning dirty dishes.
3. A method for cleaning and/or performing maintenance on an automatic dishwasher, characterized in that a composition which improves the cleaning performance of a dishwasher detergent is used in a normal cleaning cycle in addition to the automatic dishwasher detergent, the composition comprising at least one organic builder and having a pH in the range of from 7 to 14, preferably from 8.5 to 12, the at least one organic builder being contained in an amount of at least 25 wt.%, in particular at least 30 wt.%, preferably at least 35 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 40 wt.%, most preferably at least 45 wt.%, based on the composition, the absolute amount of the at least one organic builder in the composition being from 1 to 25 g/job, preferably from 2 to 20 g/job, more preferably from 4 to 12 g/job, and the at least one organic builder being an aminocarboxylic acid, which is preferably selected from methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and the salts thereof, glutaminediacetic acid (GLDA) and the salts thereof, and ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA) and the salts thereof, and the composition for improving cleaning performance being present in pre-portioned form in a water-soluble film, the pre-portioned form having a total weight of from 25 to 40 g.
4. A combination product, characterized in that the combination product comprises, in separate formulations, a composition for improving cleaning performance and an automatic dishwasher detergent for automatic dishwashers, the composition for improving cleaning performance comprising at least one organic builder and having a pH in the range of from 7 to 14, preferably from 8.5 to 12, the at least one organic builder being contained in an amount of at least 25 wt.%, in particular at least 30 wt.%, preferably at least 35 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 40 wt.%, most preferably at least 45 wt.%, based on the composition, the absolute amount of the at least one organic builder in the composition being from 1 to 25 g/job, preferably from 2 to 20 g/job, more preferably from 4 to 12 g/job, and the at least one organic builder being an aminocarboxylic acid, which is preferably selected from methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and the salts thereof, glutaminediacetic acid (GLDA) and the salts thereof, and ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA) and the salts thereof, and the composition for improving cleaning performance being present in pre-portioned form in a water-soluble film, the pre-portioned form having a total weight of from 25 to 40 g.
5. The combination product according to claim 4, characterized in that the automatic dishwasher detergent

   (a) is present in liquid or solid form; and/or

   (b) is present in pre-portioned form, preferably in the form of a tablet or a pouch; and/or

   (c) is in a water-insoluble, water-soluble or water-dispersible packaging, in particular in a film containing polyvinyl alcohol.
6. The embodiment according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the composition for improving cleaning performance

   (a) is phosphate-free and/or phosphonate-free; and/or

   (b) is free of bleaching agents.
7. The embodiment according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the composition for improving cleaning performance

   (a) is present in solid form, in particular in powder form; and/or

   (b) is in a water-soluble packaging made of film containing polyvinyl alcohol.
8. The embodiment according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the composition for improving cleaning performance

   (a) is present in liquid form; and/or

   (b) is in a water-soluble packaging made of film containing polyvinyl alcohol.
9. The embodiment according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the composition for improving cleaning performance contains at least one further component selected from the group consisting of further builders, in particular alkali carriers, preferably alkali metal carbonates, particularly preferably sodium carbonate, further surfactants, in particular anionic surfactants, polymers, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, glass corrosion inhibitors, disintegration auxiliaries, fragrances and perfume carriers.
10. The embodiment according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the composition for improving cleaning performance is dispensed directly into the interior space of an automatic dishwasher.