DETERGENT OFFER FORM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a detergent packaging comprising an outer packaging and detergent tablets arranged in a sorted manner within the outer packaging. In particular, the invention relates to detergent packaging comprising sorted detergent tablets and outer packaging with specific fill levels.

[0002] The packaging and distribution of detergents and cleaning agents are constantly evolving. For some time now, a key focus has been on convenient dosing of detergents and cleaning agents by consumers and simplifying the steps required to carry out a washing or cleaning process. One technical solution is offered by pre-portioned detergent or cleaning agent dosing units, for example, water-soluble containers with one or more compartments for powdered or liquid detergents or cleaning agents. Another technical solution is detergent tablets, which can be designed as single- or multi-phase products.

[0003] Both the water-soluble containers and the detergent tablets are generally hygroscopic due to the active ingredients they contain. To prevent water absorption, the pre-portioned detergent or cleaning agent dosage units are individually packaged using waterproof packaging materials, such as flow packs made from water-insoluble polymer films. Alternatively, several detergent or cleaning agent dosage units can be packaged in one container, which in turn has a water vapor barrier, thus reducing water ingress to the dosage units.

[0004] Regardless of whether the packaging used to reduce water ingress encloses individual detergent or cleaning agent dosing units or multiple detergent or cleaning agent dosing units, their use is undesirable for ecological reasons. One goal of developing innovative detergent packaging is therefore to provide packaging solutions and packaging forms based on recycled, recyclable, or biodegradable materials that maximize the technical advantages of non-recyclable, non-recyclable, or non-biodegradable materials. One starting point for this development is the optimization and further development of existing, sustainable technical solutions.

[0005] A technical problem that receives particular attention with regard to detergent or cleaning agent dosage units, especially detergent or cleaning agent tablets, is ensuring the transport and storage stability of these dosage units. The term "transport and storage stability" encompasses both ensuring the physical stability of the detergent or cleaning agent dosage units, for example, against breakage, and ensuring the chemical stability of the detergent or cleaning agent dosage units, for example, against premature reaction and the disintegration of the three-dimensional shape caused by reaction. A classic approach to ensuring the transport and storage stability of detergent or cleaning agent tablets is to package these tablets using individual flow pack packaging with three-sided weld seams and the fin seams characteristic of these flow packs.These flow packs are typically made of non-biodegradable, water-insoluble polymer films and, in addition to the detergent or cleaning agent dosing unit, also enclose a considerable volume of air. This air volume and the aforementioned fin seams ensure the physical integrity of the dosing units under mechanical stress due to their dampening effect. Furthermore, the water-insoluble polymer films prevent unwanted water ingress from the ambient air, thus also chemically stabilizing the detergent or cleaning agent dosing units.

[0006] The disadvantage of this technical solution is the comparatively high expenditure on non-biodegradable packaging materials and the comparatively high packaging volume per dosing unit.

[0007] From the patent application EP1199254 a detergent formulation according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

[0008] Against the background of the previously described prior art, the application was based on the objective of providing detergent portion units that can be produced using simplified processes, offer high transport and storage stability, and can be easily packaged in containers using minimal packaging materials. Finally, the detergent portion units should offer high product performance and be easy and safe to handle for the consumer.

[0009] To solve these tasks, a detergent offer form is suitable, comprising a) an outer packaging with a bottom surface, a lid surface and side walls connecting the bottom surface and the lid surface, b) cuboid-shaped detergent tablets with a bottom side, an upper side and a shell surface connecting the bottom side and the upper side, wherein i) the outer packaging contains at least eight detergent tablets which are arranged in layers in the outer packaging such that each of the detergent tablets is adjacent to at least three further detergent tablets; ii) the outer packaging has a fill level of 50% to 84% by volume; iii) 35% to 80% of the empty volume of the outer packaging is located between the top side of the upper layer of the tablets and the inside of the lid surface.

[0010] Surprisingly, it has been found that in secondary packaging with a medium fill level, the sorting and arrangement of the detergent tablets within the secondary packaging, which is characteristic of the subject matter of the claim, can improve the storage and transport stability of the tablets.

[0011] The outer packaging is preferably designed as a one-piece folding box. Preferred outer packagings have a flat base whose largest diagonal is greater than the height of the outer packaging. This design of the outer packaging increases its stability and enables easy opening and removal. It is particularly preferred if the outer packaging has a flat base whose largest diagonal is more than twice, preferably more than four times, the height of the outer packaging.

[0012] To achieve the desired fill level and reduce the use of packaging materials, it has proven advantageous for the outer packaging to have a square base, preferably a quadrangular base, and most preferably a rectangular base. For the same reason, and to improve the stackability of the outer packaging, it is preferred for the outer packaging to have a lid surface that is plane-parallel to the base. Rectangular outer packaging is particularly preferred.

[0013] To increase storage stability, especially for chemical stabilization of detergent tablets, it has proven advantageous for the outer packaging to be resealable. Suitable closure elements include adhesive, locking, snap-on, or plug-in elements, with adhesive and plug-in elements being particularly preferred. Examples of closure elements include push-in closures or removable adhesive closures.

[0014] For sustainability reasons, recycled and / or recyclable materials are preferred for the production of the outer packaging. Preferably, the packaging materials are based on renewable raw materials. The use of packaging materials based on pulp and recycled paper is particularly preferred.

[0015] In a first preferred embodiment, the outer packaging is made of cardboard. The advantages of cardboard, in addition to its availability and recyclability, lie in the wide variety of available types and weights. Preferred cardboards have a weight of 150 to 400 g / m².

[0016] Corrugated cardboard, which has proven to be technically superior to cartonboard in some respects, is used in a particularly preferred embodiment for the production of outer packaging. Corrugated cardboard is characterized by high strength despite its low weight and is a suitable medium for storage and transport, even in large containers.

[0017] To improve transport stability and to avoid tablet breakage, at least one of the side walls of the outer packaging has one or more cavities, the volume of which is at least 10 vol.% of the volume of the side wall.

[0018] The design of the side walls of the outer packaging with the inclusion of cavities has proven surprisingly advantageous for the physical stability of the detergent tablets. Preferably, at least one of the side walls has a hollow volume which is at least 10 vol.% of the volume of the side wall. Further improved stabilization of the detergent tablets can be achieved if at least two of the side walls have hollow volumes which are at least 10 vol.% of the volume of the respective side wall, wherein it is particularly advantageous if two opposite side walls of the outer packaging have hollow volumes which are at least 10 vol.% of the volume of the respective side wall. Detergent packaging forms in which all side walls of the outer packaging have hollow volumes which are at least 10 vol.% of the volume of the respective side wall are very particularly preferred.

[0019] In addition to physical stability, the chemical stability of detergent tablets is surprisingly also enhanced by the integration of hollow volumes into the side walls of the outer packaging. One possible explanation is that the ingress of water from the outside into the interior of the outer packaging is hindered by the hollow volumes interrupting the material of the side walls and / or that the hollow volume in the side walls buffers the ingress of moisture.

[0020] For the reasons mentioned above, particularly preferred outer packagings have one or more side walls in which the hollow volume is at least 20 vol.%, preferably at least 40 vol.% of the volume of the respective side wall.

[0021] The hollow volume in the side walls of the outer packaging can be achieved, for example, by using corrugated cardboard. A preferred alternative or addition to corrugated cardboard is a box with a rim or hollow edge, which, due to their construction, are suitable for achieving hollow volumes in the range of 10 vol.% and higher.

[0022] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer packaging is designed as a hinged lid box.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the outer packaging is designed as a one-piece folding box and has a bottom surface and four side surfaces hinged to the bottom surface as well as a lid surface and at least three side surfaces hinged to the lid surface.

[0024] The one-piece design of the outer packaging increases its stability and simplifies its production.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer packaging is designed as a one-piece folding box which comprises a base surface and four side surfaces hinged to the base surface as well as a lid surface and at least three side surfaces hinged to the lid surface, wherein the side surfaces of the outer packaging hinged to the lid surface overlap with the side surfaces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging in the closed state.

[0026] As already stated above, preferred outer packaging is resealable. A particularly preferred embodiment is folding boxes with hinged lids, wherein in the closed state parts of the lid preferably at least partially overlap with the remaining parts of the box. Examples of this are detergent packaging forms in which the outer packaging is in the form of a one-piece folding box and has a base surface and four side surfaces hinged to the base surface, as well as a lid surface and at least three side surfaces hinged to the lid surface, and in the closed state the side surfaces of the outer packaging hinged to the lid surface overlap with the side surfaces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging in such a way that the outer sides of the side surfaces hinged to the lid surface are in contact with the inner sides of the side surfaces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging.In a preferred embodiment of this detergent packaging form, at least 30%, preferably at least 60% and in particular at least 80% of the area of ​​the outer sides of the side surfaces hinged to the lid surface overlap with at least 30%, preferably at least 60% and in particular at least 80% of the area of ​​the inner sides of the side surfaces hinged to the bottom surface of the outer packaging.

[0027] In this embodiment, the lid closure is preferably reinforced by friction between the overlapping box parts. This type of lid closure, in which the side panels hinged to the lid surfaces are guided into the box interior, can lead to problems with the lid closure in cases of high fill levels, particularly when the outer packaging is filled with detergent tablets, which increase in volume during storage, because the side panels hinged to the lid surface are difficult to insert into the box interior.

[0028] Against this background, it may be appropriate to provide alternative detergent packaging forms in which the outer packaging is in the form of a one-piece folding box and has a base surface and four side surfaces hinged to the base surface as well as a lid surface and at least three side surfaces hinged to the lid surface and in the closed state the side surfaces of the outer packaging hinged to the lid surface overlap with the side surfaces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging in such a way that at least one inner side of a side surface hinged to the lid surface is in contact with at least one outer side of the side surfaces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging.

[0029] For the reasons stated above, detergent packaging forms are also preferred in which the outer packaging is in the form of a one-piece folding box and has a base surface and four side surfaces hinged to the base surface as well as a lid surface and at least three side surfaces hinged to the lid surface and in the closed state the side surfaces of the outer packaging hinged to the lid surface overlap with the side surfaces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging in such a way that all inner sides of the side surfaces hinged to the lid surface are in contact with the outer sides of the side surfaces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging.

[0030] In a further alternative embodiment, the outer packaging is in the form of a one-piece folding box with a base surface and four side surfaces hinged to the base surface, a cover surface and four side surfaces hinged to the cover surface, an intermediate surface which connects a side surface of the base surface with a side surface of the cover surface, wherein, in the closed state, the side surfaces of the outer packaging which are hinged to the lid surface overlap with the side surfaces which are hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging in such a way that three of the inner sides of the side surfaces which are hinged to the lid surface are in contact with the outer sides of the side surfaces which are hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging and the intermediate surface is located between the outer side of the side surface which is connected to it and is hinged to the base surface and the inner side of the side surface which is connected to it and is hinged to the lid surface. This embodiment enables the outer packaging to be opened more easily. At the same time, in the closed state, the outer packaging forms a three-fold overlapping side surface in the region of the intermediate surface, which side surface is formed from a side surface which is deflected to the base surface, the intermediate surface and the side surface deflected to the lid surface.This reinforced side wall stabilizes the outer packaging during storage and transport.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the last three detergent packaging forms, at least 30%, preferably at least 60% and in particular at least 80% of the area of ​​the inner sides of the side surfaces hinged to the lid surface overlap with at least 30%, preferably at least 60% and in particular at least 80% of the area of ​​the outer sides of the side surfaces hinged to the bottom surface of the outer packaging.

[0032] The previously described outer packaging with overlapping side walls can be opened and closed repeatedly without significantly reducing the friction occurring between the overlapping side walls. The preferred design of the side walls with hollow spaces is suitable for further improving this resealability. One possible explanation for this may be the compressibility of the side walls caused by the hollow spaces.

[0033] A feature of preferred outer packaging is the COBB value of the cardboard used in its production in the range below 25 g / m 2< , preferably below 20 g / m 2< . The COBB value is a value that describes the resistance of paper and cardboard to the absorption of moisture into the material. A high COBB value means that water penetrates more easily. A low COBB value means that water penetrates the material only with difficulty. The COBB value is determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 535 below 20 g / m 2 at 20 °C and standard pressure. Particularly preferred detergent packaging forms are characterized in that the cardboard used to produce the folding box has a COBB value below 25 g / m 2< , preferably below 20 g / m 2<.

[0034] Corresponding COBB values ​​can be achieved in various ways. In an alternative embodiment, the outer packaging comprises, for example, a water-insoluble cover film, preferably a polyethylene cover film. Water-insoluble cover films are generally suitable for preventing or at least reducing the ingress of water or water vapor through the outer packaging into the interior of the outer packaging.

[0035] To avoid unnecessary packaging components, water-insoluble cover films are preferably applied only to the outside or inside of the outer packaging. To effectively limit moisture penetration, full-surface coverage is preferred.

[0036] The advantages of fully covering the outside of the outer packaging include improved printability of the outer packaging surface and the prevention of water ingress into the cellulose-based packaging material, which, for example, prevents the formation of surface water stains or swelling of the outer packaging.

[0037] The full-surface coverage of the inside of the outer packaging has surprisingly proven advantageous for the adhesion of unwrapped detergent tablets, especially unwrapped detergent tablets. A combination of unwrapped tablets and the inside covering of the cardboard forming the outer packaging with a water-insoluble cover film increases the adhesion of the tablets to the surface of the cardboard, thereby reducing slippage and associated mechanical shocks and damage to the tablets in the outer packaging, especially during transport.

[0038] Despite the technical advantages listed above, it may be preferable for reasons of sustainable production and packaging of the detergent tablets if the outer packaging does not include a water-insoluble cover film.

[0039] Biodegradable hydrophobic coatings or impregnations have proven to be effective alternatives to water-insoluble cover films. Particularly preferred are biodegradable hydrophobic coatings or impregnations comprising a substance from the group of vegetable oils, vegetable or animal waxes, lignin and lignin derivatives, celluloses and cellulose derivatives, and polylactic acid and polylactic acid derivatives.

[0040] An essential component of the detergent formulation according to the invention are the detergent tablets. A "tablet" is a single body that stabilizes itself in its imprinted shape. This dimensionally stable body is formed from a molding compound (e.g., a composition) by deliberately shaping this molding compound into a predetermined shape, e.g., by pouring a liquid composition into a mold and subsequently curing the liquid composition or by compressing a particulate premix, for example, in a tabletting process.

[0041] Detergent tablets are used both for textile washing and for cleaning hard surfaces such as ceramics, glass, metal, or tiles. Detergent tablets, especially for textile washing, are particularly preferred, as these are generally characterized by comparatively low hardness due to the need for rapid disintegration in the wash liquor. The detergent tablets preferably have a weight of 14 g to 42 g, preferably 20 g to 38 g, and in particular 24 g to 34 g.

[0042] Due to their manufacturability and their removal properties from the outer packaging, detergent tablets having a flat underside whose largest diagonal is more than twice, preferably more than four times, the height of the detergent tablets are preferred.

[0043] It is particularly preferred if the detergent tablets are in the form of tablets or comprise tablets.

[0044] The cuboid-shaped detergent tablets comprise a bottom side, a top side, and a lateral surface connecting the bottom and top sides. For the stability of the tablets, it has also proven advantageous if the edges bordering the bottom and top sides are chamfered. To increase the stability of the tablets, it may also be advisable to round the edges of the lateral surfaces connecting the bottom and top sides.

[0045] The density of preferred detergent tablets is 1.1 g / cm 3 to 1.5 g / cm 3 , preferably 1.15 g / cm 3 to 1.3 g / cm 3 . As a consequence of the high tablet density and the high filler content, the detergent tablets according to the invention have comparatively high densities, for example densities in the range from 0.9 g / cm 3 to 1.4 g / cm 3 , preferably in the range from 1.05 g / cm 3 to 1.3 g / cm 3 .

[0046] Preferred detergent tablets have a rough top or a rough bottom, with an average roughness of 25 µm to 1000 µm, preferably 50 µm to 800 µm. Roughness describes the deviation of a real surface from an ideally smooth surface and is determined, for example, using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

[0047] The roughness values ​​preferred according to the invention reduce the abrasion of the molded bodies during production and transport and at the same time ensure sufficient adhesion of the molded bodies to the material of the outer packaging and the other molded bodies contained in the outer packaging, whereby these are stabilized within the outer packaging.

[0048] A key feature of the detergent packaging according to the invention is its fill level of 50 to 84 vol.%, preferably 55 to 84 vol.%, and in particular 60 to 84 vol.% of the outer packaging. The "fill level" refers to the proportion of the inner volume of the outer packaging occupied by the detergent tablets contained therein.

[0049] In the simplest case, "empty volume" refers to the portion of the inner volume of the outer packaging that is not occupied by the detergent tablets. If the inner volume of the outer packaging contains additional elements, such as dividers, intermediate shelves, or inserts, the volume occupied by these additional elements is counted towards the fill level.

[0050] In preferred embodiments, 35% to 70%, in particular 35 to 60%, of the empty volume of the outer packaging is located between the top side of the upper molded body layer and the inside of the lid surface. This volume located between the top side of the upper molded body layer and the inside of the lid surface is delimited not only by the top side of the upper molded body layer (bottom side of the volume) and the inside of the lid surface (top side of the volume) but also by side walls, which result from the continuation of the side walls of the detergent tablets of the upper molded body layer toward the inside of the lid surface.

[0051] In order to reduce the packaging proportion per detergent tablet, it is preferred if the detergent packaging comprises at least ten, preferably at least twenty, particularly preferably at least thirty detergent tablets, which are arranged in layers in the outer packaging.

[0052] When integrating a larger number of detergent tablets into the detergent packaging, their stability can be further improved by a targeted arrangement of the tablets. Preference is given to detergent packagings comprising at least ten, preferably at least twenty, particularly preferably at least thirty detergent tablets, which are arranged in layers in the outer packaging such that each of the detergent tablets is adjacent to at least three other detergent tablets.

[0053] Preferably, the cuboidal detergent tablets are arranged such that each cuboidal detergent tablet borders a side surface of an adjacent cuboidal detergent tablet with at least three of its six side surfaces. The adjacent sides or surfaces of two adjacent detergent tablets are preferably aligned plane-parallel to one another.

[0054] Preferably, each of the cuboid detergent tablets is in direct contact with at least one other cuboid detergent tablet via its underside or its top side. Furthermore, it is preferred if each of the cuboid detergent tablets is in direct contact with at least one other cuboid detergent tablet via its outer surface.

[0055] In preferred detergent packaging forms, the detergent tablets are arranged in two, three or four layers in the outer packaging.

[0056] To improve their transport stability and to avoid molded body breakage, the molded bodies are preferably arranged in the outer packaging in such a way that the axes of rotation of the detergent molded bodies, along which they have the lowest molded body hardness, run parallel to the bottom surface of the outer packaging.

[0057] This type of arrangement is particularly advantageous in the case of cuboid-shaped detergent tablets, for example cuboid-shaped detergent tablets, which have three two-fold axes of rotation, wherein the tablet or tablet hardnesses exhibited by the detergent tablets or tablets along these three axes of rotation differ from one another. In preferred embodiments, the cuboid-shaped detergent tablets or tablets have three two-fold axes of rotation, wherein the lowest tablet or tablet hardness exhibited by the detergent tablets or tablets along one of these three axes of rotation is at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, and in particular at least 60% lower than the next highest tablet or tablet hardness along one of the two remaining axes of rotation.

[0058] The molded body or tablet hardnesses exhibited by the cuboidal detergent molded bodies or tablets along their three two-fold axes of rotation are preferably from 50 N to 300 N, preferably from 70 N to 200 N. The lowest molded body or tablet hardness exhibiting one of the three axes of rotation is preferably in the range from 50 N to 150 N, preferably from 60 N to 130 N. The hardness of the molded bodies or tablets is measured by deforming the molded body or tablet until it breaks, whereby the force acts on the side surfaces of the molded body or tablet, and the maximum force that the molded body or tablet can withstand is determined. A tablet testing device from Sotax, for example, is suitable for determining the molded body or tablet hardness.

[0059] As mentioned at the beginning, the storage and transport stability of detergent tablets could surprisingly be increased by sorting and arranging them in the outer packaging. In this context, it has been shown that both the chemical and physical stability of detergent tablets are influenced by the orientation of the detergent tablets in the packaging.

[0060] By suitably orienting the cuboid detergent tablets in corrugated cardboard-based outer packaging, the adhesion of the tablets to the surface of the cardboard can be increased and slipping of the tablets during transport and the associated breakage or abrasion of the tablets can be avoided. In a preferred embodiment of the detergent packaging, the outer packaging is made of corrugated cardboard and the detergent tablets have a cuboid geometry in which the diagonal of the underside of the detergent tablet is more than twice, preferably more than four times, the height of the detergent tablets, wherein the detergent tablets are arranged in the outer packaging in such a way that the longitudinal direction of the detergent tablets, which lie directly on the bottom surface of the outer packaging, runs parallel to the wave pattern of the corrugated cardboard.

[0061] The detergent tablets can be aligned in the outer packaging such that the underside of the detergent tablets, which rest directly on the bottom surface of the outer packaging, runs orthogonal to the bottom surface of the outer packaging. However, to improve the adhesion of the detergent tablets, it has proven advantageous if detergent tablets with a cuboid geometry, in which the diagonal of the underside of the detergent tablet is more than twice, preferably more than four times the height of the detergent tablets, are arranged in the outer packaging made of corrugated cardboard in such a way that the underside of the detergent tablets, which rest directly on the bottom surface of the outer packaging, runs plane-parallel to the bottom surface of the outer packaging and the longitudinal direction of the detergent tablets, which rest directly on the bottom surface of the outer packaging, runs parallel to the flute pattern of the corrugated cardboard.

[0062] To reduce water vapor permeability, the outer packaging can be equipped with a water-insoluble cover film, preferably a polyethylene cover film. While the reduction of water vapor permeability is ensured in a comparable manner by water-insoluble cover films on the outside or inside of the outer packaging, it has proven advantageous for the adhesion of the detergent tablets to the surface of the outer packaging if the outer packaging comprises a water-insoluble cover film, preferably a polyethylene cover film, which preferably covers the entire inside of the outer packaging.

[0063] This effect can be further enhanced by packaging the detergent tablets in film packaging. Detergent packaging in which each detergent tablet has a separate film packaging is particularly preferred. When determining the fill level of the outer packaging, the film packaging is added to the detergent tablet. In other words, the fill level is the proportion of the inner volume of the outer packaging occupied by the detergent tablets contained in the outer packaging and their film packaging.

[0064] If film packaging is used, film packaging made of a water-soluble film material is preferred. The water-soluble film material can comprise one or more structurally different water-soluble polymers. Particularly suitable water-soluble polymers are polymers from the group of (optionally acetalized) polyvinyl alcohols (PVAL) and their copolymers.

[0065] Water-soluble film materials are preferably based on a polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer whose molecular weight is in the range from 10,000 to 1,000,000 gmol -1< , preferably from 20,000 to 500,000 gmol -1< , particularly preferably from 30,000 to 100,000 gmol -1< and in particular from 40,000 to 80,000 gmol -1<.

[0066] The production of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl alcohol copolymers generally involves the hydrolysis of intermediate polyvinyl acetate. Preferred polyvinyl alcohols and polyvinyl alcohol copolymers have a degree of hydrolysis of 70 to 100 mol%, preferably 80 to 90 mol%, particularly preferably 81 to 89 mol%, and especially 82 to 88 mol%.

[0067] Preferred polyvinyl alcohol copolymers comprise, in addition to vinyl alcohol, an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, its salt, or its ester. Particularly preferably, such polyvinyl alcohol copolymers contain, in addition to vinyl alcohol, sulfonic acids such as 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters, or mixtures thereof; among the esters, C 1-4 alkyl esters or hydroxyalkyl esters are preferred. Other suitable monomers include ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, for example, itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and mixtures thereof.

[0068] Due to their availability, ease of processing and biodegradability, film packaging is preferred which consists of at least 40 wt.%, preferably at least 60 wt.% and in particular at least 80 wt.% polyvinyl alcohol.

[0069] To increase the stability of the molded body and to ensure a sufficient degree of filling in the outer packaging, it is preferable to shrink the film packaging onto the detergent molded bodies.

[0070] In addition to physical stability and integrity, the targeted orientation of the cuboid-shaped detergent tablets in the outer packaging also increases their chemical stability. This effect particularly affects detergent tablets with high hygroscopicity or outer packaging with high water vapor penetration. In such detergent packaging, the detergent tablets tend to stick to the surface of the outer packaging. When the bonded detergent tablets are removed from the inside of the outer packaging, the tablets can then break.

[0071] To avoid sticking, a detergent presentation form has proven advantageous in which the outer packaging is made of corrugated cardboard and the detergent tablets have a cuboid geometry in which the diagonal of the underside of the detergent tablet is more than twice, preferably more than four times the height of the detergent tablets, wherein the detergent tablets are arranged in the outer packaging in such a way that the longitudinal direction of the detergent tablets, which lie directly on the bottom surface of the outer packaging, runs orthogonally to the wave pattern of the corrugated cardboard.

[0072] Within the scope of this embodiment, the detergent tablets can be aligned in the outer packaging such that the longitudinal direction of the detergent tablets resting directly on the bottom surface of the outer packaging runs orthogonal to the flute pattern of the corrugated cardboard. However, due to the reduced tendency for sticking, it is preferred if the cuboid detergent tablets are arranged in the outer packaging made of corrugated cardboard in such a way that the underside of the detergent tablets resting directly on the bottom surface of the outer packaging runs orthogonal to the bottom surface of the outer packaging, and the longitudinal direction of the detergent tablets resting directly on the bottom surface of the outer packaging runs orthogonal to the flute pattern of the corrugated cardboard.

[0073] To reduce the tendency of the detergent tablets to stick together, the outer packaging does not have a water-insoluble cover film on its inside. Sticking can be further reduced if the detergent tablets do not have a separate film packaging, especially if they do not have a film packaging made of a water-soluble film material.

[0074] To improve the water vapor transmission properties, the outer packaging can comprise a water-insoluble cover film, preferably a polyethylene cover film, which covers the outer packaging on its outer surface, preferably over its entire surface.

[0075] Despite the technical advantages listed above, it may be preferable for reasons of sustainable production and packaging of the detergent tablets if the outer packaging does not include a water-insoluble cover film.

[0076] Detergent tablets which are particularly suitable for packaging in the detergent formulations according to the invention are, in particular, detergent tablets which have a water absorption (2 weeks, 35°C, 80% relative humidity) above 20 mg / g, preferably above 30 mg / g.

[0077] Also suitable for packaging in detergent formulations are detergent tablets that exhibit a volume expansion (2 weeks, 35°C, 80% relative humidity) above 5 vol.%, preferably above 7 vol.%, and in particular from 8 vol.% to 25 vol.%. This type of volume increase can be observed, for example, in detergent tablets that contain a disintegration aid, in particular a polymeric disintegration aid, for example a disintegration aid based on polyvinylpyrrolidone or cellulose.

[0078] The arrangement and positioning of the detergent tablets in the outer packaging according to the invention is particularly suitable for detergent tablets with heterogeneous expansion in all three spatial directions. Particularly suitable for outer packaging are cuboid-shaped detergent tablets with a flat underside, the largest diagonal of which is more than twice, preferably more than four times, the height of the detergent tablets, which, during storage, exhibit a disproportionate expansion relative to their height. In such detergent tablets, in particular detergent tablets, the vertical expansion is, for example, more than 7%, in particular more than 12%, while the width and length expansion is less than 7%, in particular less than 5%.

[0079] As a storage condition for determining the heterogeneous expansion with respect to the three spatial directions, a storage period of 2 weeks at 35°C and 80% relative humidity is suitable. Examples

[0080] The adhesion behavior of detergent tablets to corrugated cardboard was investigated. For this purpose, the corrugated cardboard to be tested was placed flat on the horizontally aligned main platform of a friction measuring device. A detergent tablet (length: 6.7 cm, width: 2.5 cm, height: 1.5 cm; weight: 29 g) was placed on the cardboard surface. A small metal object was attached to one end, allowing the tablet to be held in place by a magnet. The main platform of the friction measuring device was then tilted from the horizontal, and the angle to the horizontal at which the tablet detaches from the magnet was determined (each measurement was performed three times, and the average of the measured values ​​was calculated). The measurement results are presented in the following tables. Corrugation direction of the corrugated board Coating of corrugated cardboard Tablet support surface Coating of the tablet Detachment angle parallel to the sliding direction of the tablet PE cover film Bottom with the lengthwise direction of the tablet in the sliding direction shrunk PVA film 45° orthogonal to the sliding direction of the tablet PE cover film Bottom with the lengthwise direction of the tablet in the sliding direction shrunk PVA film 42° Corrugation direction of the corrugated board Coating of corrugated cardboard Tablet support surface Coating of the tablet Detachment angle parallel to the sliding direction of the tablet no Bottom with the lengthwise direction of the tablet in the sliding direction shrunk PVA film 35° orthogonal to the sliding direction of the tablet no Bottom with the lengthwise direction of the tablet in the sliding direction shrunk PVA film 32° Corrugation direction of the corrugated board Coating of corrugated cardboard Tablet support surface Coating of the tablet Detachment angle parallel to the sliding direction of the tablet PE cover film Bottom with the lengthwise direction of the tablet in the sliding direction shrunk PVA film 24° parallel to the sliding direction of the tablet no Bottom with the lengthwise direction of the tablet in the sliding direction no 16°

Claims

1. Detergent supply form, comprising a) an outer packaging with a bottom surface, a lid surface and side walls connecting the bottom and lid surfaces, b) cuboid detergent blocks with a bottom side, a top side and a lateral surface connecting the bottom and top sides, wherein i) the outer packaging contains at least eight detergent tablets, which are arranged in the outer packaging in layers in a sorted manner such that each of the detergent tablets is adjacent to at least three other detergent tablets; ii) the outer packaging has a filling level of from 50% by volume to 84% by volume; iii) 35% to 80% of the empty volume of the outer packaging is located between the top of the upper molded layer and the inside of the lid surface.

2. Detergent supply form according to claim 1, wherein the outer packaging has a filling level of 55% by volume to 84% by volume, preferably of 60% by volume to 84% by volume.

3. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein 35% to 70%, in particular 35% to 60%, of the empty volume of the outer packaging is located between the upper side of the upper molded layer and the inner side of the lid surface.

4. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein the outer packaging is made of corrugated board.

5. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein the outer packaging comprises a water-insoluble cover film, preferably a polyethylene cover film, which covers the outer packaging on its inside, preferably over its entire surface.

6. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, - the outer packaging of which is made of corrugated board and - the detergent moldings of which have a cuboid geometry in which the diagonal of the underside of the detergent moldings is more than twice, preferably more than four times, the height of the detergent moldings, the detergent form bodies are arranged in the outer packaging in a sorted manner such that i) the underside of the detergent form bodies, which rest directly on the base surface of the outer packaging, extends orthogonally to the base surface of the outer packaging and ii) the longitudinal direction of the detergent form bodies, which rest directly on the base surface of the outer packaging, extends parallel to the corrugation of the corrugated board.

7. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein each of the detergent tablets has a separate film packaging.

8. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein the detergent tablets have a film packaging which is shrunk onto the detergent tablet.

9. Detergent supply form according to one of the claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 8, wherein the inner side of the outer packaging does not comprise a water-insoluble cover film.

10. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein - the outer packaging is made of corrugated board and - the detergent moldings have a cuboid geometry in which the diagonal of the underside of the detergent molding is more than twice, preferably more than four times, the height of the detergent molding, wherein the detergent form bodies are arranged in the outer packaging in a sorted manner such that i) the underside of the detergent form bodies, which rest directly on the base surface of the outer packaging, is plane-parallel to the base surface of the outer packaging and ii) the longitudinal direction of the detergent form bodies, which rest directly on the base surface of the outer packaging, is orthogonal to the corrugation of the corrugated board.

11. Detergent supply form according to one of claims 1 to 6, 9 or 10, wherein the detergent moldings have no film packaging.

12. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein the detergent moldings have three two-fold axes of rotation and the detergent moldings are arranged in the outer packaging such that the axes of rotation of the detergent moldings, along which they have the lowest molding hardness, run parallel to the bottom surface of the outer packaging.

13. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein at least one of the side walls of the outer packaging has one or more cavities, the volume of which is at least 10% by volume of the volume of the side wall.

14. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, wherein the outer packaging is in the form of a single-piece folding box having i) a bottom surface and four side surfaces hinged to the bottom surface; ii) a top surface and at least three side surfaces hinged to the top surface wherein the side surfaces of the outer packaging hinged to the top surface overlap, in the closed state, with the side surfaces hinged to the bottom surface of the outer packaging.

15. Detergent supply form according to one of the previous claims, comprising an outer packaging made of cardboard in the form of a single-piece folding box with i) a base and four sides hinged to the base, ii) a lid and four sides hinged to the lid, iii) an intermediate panel connecting a side of the base to a side of the lid, wherein, in the closed state, the side faces of the outer packaging hinged to the lid surface overlap with the side faces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging in such a way that three of the inner sides of the side faces hinged to the lid surface are in contact with the outer of the side surfaces hinged to the base surface of the outer packaging and the intermediate surface is located between the outer side of the side surface hinged to the base surface, to which it is connected, and the inner side of the side surface hinged to the lid surface, to which it is connected.