Container having openings and containing a wc cleaning agent

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (11) which has openings (13) and in which a cleaning agent for WCs is stored, which cleaning agent is in piece form and comprises surfactants and foaming agents, the container (11) being made of cellulosic fibre material. The invention also relates to a method for producing this container and use of this container.

Description

[0001] Container with openings containing a toilet cleaner

[0002] The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly cleaning agent for the toilet area in a container with openings and preferably to a bar-shaped cleaning agent in such a container.

[0003] Such containers with cleaning agents are available for the water tank, as described, for example, in US 2011 / 0219525 Al.

[0004] The majority of known bar-shaped cleaning agents are so-called "rim blocks," which are attached to the rim of the toilet in basket- or cage-like containers, known as toilet baskets, with a hook-shaped hanging device. The containers have inlet and outlet openings for the flushing water. The flushing water overflows the agent contained in the container with each flush. As a result, a small portion of the cleaning agent is dissolved with each flush, releasing surfactants, fragrances, etc., which then achieves the desired cleaning of the toilet bowl and sump and the desired fragrance.

[0005] Such containers with cleaning agents, which are attached to the rim of the toilet bowl, are known, for example, from WO 2010 / 037 997 A1, JP 2007-113187 A, DE 89 06 140 U1 or DE 10 2004 013 896 A1.

[0006] In general, cleaning products contain not only surfactants but also fragrances and are sometimes colored to give them a visually appealing appearance.

[0007] To help consumers visualize the cleaning process, cleaning agents generally contain foaming agents and, in some cases, foam boosters. The foaming effect created by the foaming agents and, if applicable, foam boosters when rinsing with water is viewed by consumers not only as a measure of the cleaning power of the product, but also as a simple way to check whether the product has been used up. While these foaming agents and boosters produce the desired foaming, they contribute little to the desired cleaning effect and are often not environmentally friendly.

[0008] More than 20 years ago, the applicant here proposed using biodegradable betaines or lactobionic acid or its derivatives obtained from renewable raw materials instead of the foaming agents known to date, as described in DE 196 48 788 A1.

[0009] In recent years, environmentally friendly toilet blocks have become increasingly available. However, the disadvantage of these environmentally friendly toilet blocks is that they produce comparatively little foam, which means consumers cannot adequately visualize their cleaning effect.

[0010] Based on this, the invention is based on providing a cleaning agent in a toilet basket that is environmentally friendly and yet foams well.

[0011] This object is achieved by a cleaning agent in a toilet basket according to claim 1.

[0012] Surprisingly, it has been found that cleaning agents containing foaming agents foam better in toilet bowls made of cellulose-containing fiber material than those containing foaming agents stored in conventional plastic bowls. Thus, by storing the environmentally friendly cleaning agent in a container made of cellulose-containing fiber material, better foam formation and an increase in foam volume can be achieved when flushing with water, without the need for additional chemicals such as foaming agents or foam boosters. This effect stems from the presence of the cellulose-containing fiber material, which increases foam formation and increases the foam's porosity.Thus, by using low-foaming cleaning agents for the toilet area in the containers containing the cellulose-containing fiber materials, sufficient foam formation can be achieved or - in the case of cleaning agents with high foam formation - the concentration of the foaming agent can be reduced, which is environmentally friendly and reduces costs.

[0013] Surprisingly, containers made of cellulose-containing fiber material, especially paper or cardboard, retain the required stability even after repeated rinsing with water; they do absorb water during rinsing, but the water then dries out again.

[0014] What is even more astonishing is that even the containers filled with toilet cleaner made of flat, cellulose-containing fiber material retain their stability and do not tear or decompose, even though they are continuously exposed not only to moisture but also to the surfactant solution when flushed.

[0015] Tests carried out at the applicant's premises have shown that paper containers filled with cleaning agents (mass 50 g) retain their stability, look attractive and do not dissolve or decompose even after 250 rinses.

[0016] Toilet cleaner containers are preferably made of flat materials of plant origin, such as paper or cardboard. According to DIN 6730, paper is defined as a fiber material with a mass per unit area of ​​7 g / m². 2 up to 225 g / m 2 and cardboard means a fibrous material with a basis weight of more than 225 g / m 2 to understand.

[0017] Both fiber and nonwoven fabrics can be used. The fiber material can comprise virgin fibers and / or recycled fibers. Synthetic fibers such as viscose can also be added to the fiber material. In principle, "trendy papers" such as grass or hemp papers can also be used within the scope of the present invention.

[0018] Because the container is made of a flat, cellulose-containing fiber material such as paper or cardboard, the emptied container can be placed in the waste paper bin and recycled, especially as waste paper. This avoids disposal in the trash, as is the case with previously known plastic baskets or baskets made of polypropylene coated on both sides, or the laborious and inadequate recycling of mixed recyclable materials, such as paper or nonwoven wood coated with a resin and a core material, which are placed in the yellow bin. Furthermore, such a wastepaper basket can be recycled up to eight times.

[0019] For paper or cardboard to be considered for recycling, it must contain a maximum of 5% foreign matter. However, if the foreign matter consists of non-recyclable plastic fibers, the plastic fibers (such as the transparent windows of envelopes) must be separated from the waste paper and disposed of.

[0020] To further increase the environmental friendliness of the paper or cardboard container according to the invention, a sheet-like cellulose-containing fiber material without plastic fibers is therefore preferably used. The sheet-like cellulose-containing fiber material is preferably at least 95%, preferably at least 98%, and particularly preferably 100% recyclable and / or at least partially made from recycled sheet-like cellulose-containing fiber materials, in particular paper or cardboard.

[0021] The flat cellulosic fiber material should exhibit a certain degree of dimensional stability and provide stability against mechanical stress during storage, transport, and application. Furthermore, the flat cellulosic fiber material must exhibit a certain degree of resistance to external influences such as moisture or chemicals.

[0022] The preferred fibre material is paper or cardboard with a basis weight between 80 g / m 2 and 600 g / m 2 and preferably between 200 g / m 2 and 400 g / m 2 and particularly preferably between 250 g / m 2 and 350 g / m 2 used.

[0023] A further advantage of the flat cellulosic fiber material used, such as paper or cardboard, is that it can be easily printed, varnished or coated, for example with emulsion paints, UV varnishes, waxes, resins, impregnation solutions or sprays, but preferably with a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL) film.

[0024] An attractive visual design can be achieved through the use of printing or emulsion inks, varnishes or white pigments such as titanium dioxide, chalk, aluminum silicate, barium sulfate, talc or chalks.

[0025] Preferably, the container for the toilet cleaning agent (without the hanging device) consists exclusively of the flat cellulose-containing fiber material, in particular paper or cardboard, whereby the paper or cardboard can optionally be printed, varnished or coated.

[0026] The containers are generally manufactured by punching or cutting flat fiber materials such as paper or cardboard, then folding them into the desired shape and securing them in this shape, as described in detail below. Punching or cutting creates cut edges, and it has been observed that water ingress into the cut flat fiber material occurs preferentially via the cut edges. According to the invention, water ingress at the cut edges and thus swelling of the container is prevented by coating the cut edges of the fiber material, for example, with waxes, varnishes, resins, an impregnation solution or spray, in order to prevent water ingress.

[0027] Environmentally friendly materials should be selected as varnish, paint and other coating materials for the surfaces of the flat fiber materials in general and also their cut edges.

[0028] A preferred method for preventing water penetration through the cut edges is to emboss the cut edges. This involves embossing the sheet of flat fiber material, from which multiple container blanks can be punched, along the future cut edges and preferably also along the future folded edges. The basket blanks are then punched out of the sheet. It is also possible to first punch or cut out the basket shape and then apply the embossing along the cut edges.

[0029] To prevent water ingress, it is essential that the cut edges are compressed to such an extent that the penetration of rinse water is largely prevented. Generally, the thickness of the sheet material should be compressed by at least 10%, preferably by at least 15%, and even more preferably by at least 18%. The greater the compression of the paper / cardboard, the closer the fibers lie together and the better the penetration of water and thus swelling is prevented.

[0030] Such compression can take place in a press / punch, where several hundred tons act on a sheet of paper or cardboard.

[0031] Production

[0032] The container according to the invention can be manufactured from the cellulose-containing fiber material in various ways. Flat cellulose-containing fiber material in the form of a sheet, e.g., a sheet of paper or cardboard, can be cut, punched, folded, inserted, glued, glued, welded, embossed, and / or pressed. This enables simple and cost-effective production.

[0033] It is also possible to produce the container in the desired shape using paper fiber casting.

[0034] During production from a flat, cellulosic fiber material, such as a sheet of paper or cardboard, the desired shape is cut or punched into the sheet, with openings for the subsequent entry and exit of water into or from the container. The sheet can be untreated or previously treated, in particular, varnished, printed, or coated. It is also possible to print, varnish, or coat the punched or cut flat material after cutting or punching.

[0035] Preferably, the cut edges are provided with a coating or varnish after cutting or punching, or the area at the cut edges is embossed to prevent water from entering the fibrous material, which mainly occurs via the cut edges.

[0036] The cut flat material is then formed into the desired three-dimensional shape, preferably by folding, and then secured. This can be achieved by inserting, gluing, gluing, welding, embossing, pressing, etc.

[0037] To simplify the subsequent folding, the folded edges can also be embossed in the cut beforehand.

[0038] Of course, a coating, varnish, or similar finish can be applied to the formed container for the first time or again after folding and securing. Of course, the flat material can also be embossed across its entire surface, for example, to increase the surface area or to give the basket a special embossed design.

[0039] In such a container made of cellulose-containing fiber material, bar-shaped cleaning agents for the toilet area can be used, which contain surfactants, foaming agents and preferably also fragrances and dyes.

[0040] The cleaning agents can be placed in the container, but can also be poured in as a hot mass and then allowed to cool, as described later in a preferred variant.

[0041] Particularly preferably, the cleaning agent stored in the container is an environmentally friendly product, in particular a product certified with regard to ecological compatibility, such as an EcoCert toilet block.

[0042] Such a container with cleaning agent can be connected to a corresponding hanging device which is used for attachment to the toilet rim, in particular clipped, hung or locked, and the filled toilet basket can then be hung on the toilet rim.

[0043] The hanging device can also be made of the cellulose-containing fiber material. Furthermore, the hanging device made of cellulose-containing fiber material can also be integrally connected to the container and / or the blank can be punched from the sheet.

[0044] With each flush, water enters the container, dissolving a small amount of the cleaning agent. Due to the turbulence and the fibrous material used in the container, a fine foam bubble forms, which flows from the basket and enters the toilet sump. This process is repeated with each flush until the container is empty after approximately 100 to 250 flushes. The container can be removed from the hanging device and recycled as waste paper.

[0045] A new container filled with cleaning agent can then be attached to the hanging device.

[0046] The container containing the cleaning agent preferably has means for detachable attachment to the hanging device. In a first cost-effective variant, the container is simply hung on hooks provided on the hanging device using corresponding slots on its upward-facing side. After emptying, the container is removed from the hook on the hanging device and can be replaced with a new container made of flat, cellulose-containing fiber material containing the cleaning agent.

[0047] Other types of fastening for attaching the container to the hanging device, such as snap fasteners, carabiners, Velcro fasteners or magnetic closures, are also possible.

[0048] The hanging device can be injection-molded, preferably from biodegradable polymers, but also from paper, for example. It includes, for example, a hook or adhesive for attaching to the toilet rim and means for securing the container. In principle, multiple containers can be attached to one hanging device.

[0049] In the one-piece variant, in which the hanging device is made of cellulose-containing fiber material and integrally connected to the container, the hanging device preferably has an adhesive strip for adhering to the toilet bowl, which can be removed again after the container has been emptied. In a particularly preferred variant of the container according to the invention made of fiber-containing material with the cleaning agent, the container is essentially sealed in a gas-tight manner. This prevents unwanted escape of the fragrances before first use, without the container having to be additionally packaged, for example, in an essentially gas-tight blister pack or similar. Rather, the gas-tight container with the toilet block can simply be offered in cardboard packaging, for example, which is environmentally friendly.

[0050] In this preferred variant of a substantially gas-tight container with cleaning agent, the openings of the punched or cut flat material, optionally after printing or varnishing, are closed with a removable and substantially gas-tight sealing material, and the composite of flat material made of sheet-like cellulosic fiber material and the substantially gas-tight sealing material is then brought into the desired three-dimensional shape and fixed.

[0051] This creates a container made of a flat, cellulose-containing fiber material with openings covered with the removable sealing material. Once sealed, such a container is essentially gas-tight.

[0052] A toilet block can now be inserted into such a container made of cellulose-containing fiber material with openings sealed with removable sealing material, or hot gel mass, which then cools down, can be poured in and the container can be closed, which is then essentially gas-tight.

[0053] A water-soluble polymer material, a self-adhesive label, a tear-off tab, or even a non-water-soluble label, such as a paper label, can be used as a gas-tight, removable closure material. Water-soluble polymer film is preferably used as the water-soluble polymer material, as it can be easily laminated to the paper, thus allowing a composite or laminate of paper and water-soluble film to be easily created, from which the container can then be formed.

[0054] Polyvinyl alcohol, polysaccharide, gelatin, cellulose derivatives in general such as hydroxyethyl, methyl and propyl cellulose, maltodextrins, etc. can be used as water-soluble sealing materials.

[0055] Closure materials based on renewable raw materials such as soy, milk proteins, starch, or sugar can also be used. Also suitable as closure materials are thermoplastically biodegradable granules comprising caseinate or casein, plasticizers such as water, glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, or ethylene glycol, and a biodegradable polyester, for example, poly(butylene adipate-cobutylene terephthalate). Such thermoplastically biodegradable granules are known from WO 2012 / 010421 A1. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxide, polyacrylate, polyamide, and acrylomaleic acid copolymers are also possible.

[0056] One advantage of using films as water-soluble closure materials is that the film can be laminated to the flat, cellulosic fiber material, such as paper, in a substantially gas-tight manner. Bonding can be achieved, for example, using PVA solution, other solutions of water-soluble polymers, or conventional laminating adhesives or spray adhesives, such as those offered by Meyco as "spray adhesive, crystal clear." Bonding with water-soluble laminating adhesives, such as polyurethane-based adhesives, is also possible. Such biodegradable pressure-sensitive adhesives are marketed, for example, by the Toyo Ink Group. The closure material films are preferably between 50 and 500 microns thick. Such films—for example, made of PVA—are available from Monosol, LLC under the designation M8310 with a thickness of 88 microns.

[0057] Bonding with waterless laminating adhesives such as PU-based adhesives is also generally possible, provided their concentration is well below 5%.

[0058] In the context of the present invention, "essentially gas-tight" means that the films are so tight that they form a barrier to water vapor or fragrances over a certain period of time.

[0059] In particular, "essentially gas-tight" in the context of the present invention means that the concentration of a fragrance in a cleaning agent packaged with a film has decreased by at most 30% after 2 weeks, preferably by at most 20% after 2 weeks and particularly preferably by at most 20% after 6 weeks.

[0060] If such a toilet basket with a hanging device to which such a container with cleaning agent is attached, whereby the openings in the container are closed with a gas-tight water-soluble material, is now flushed with flushing water during the first flushing after being attached to the edge of the toilet bowl, the flushing water flows over the water-soluble material and dissolves it, so that the openings become accessible and water reaches the interior of the container and can gradually dissolve the cleaning agent located there.

[0061] In an alternative, the openings in the flat, cellulose-containing fiber material are sealed with a substantially gas-tight label, ensuring a gas-tight seal. If the removable, gas-tight material is a non-water-soluble label, it can simply be removed from the openings before the basket is put into use, for example.

[0062] A key advantage of the container made of cellulose-containing fiber material with the toilet cleaner, which is sealed with the gas-tight sealing material, is that it is not only environmentally friendly, foams well and can be disposed of in the waste paper container, but that due to the gas-tightness, blister packaging is also unnecessary and the product can be offered in an environmentally friendly cardboard box, which also reduces costs.

[0063] The invention will be described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and comparative tests.

[0064] Figure 1: shows a punched and embossed sheet of paper,

[0065] Figure 2: the blank from Figure 1 folded into a container with the lid open,

[0066] Figure 3: the container from Figure 2 with an inserted toilet block and closed lid,

[0067] Figure 4: a variant of the punched sheet from Figure 1 with motif print.

[0068] Figure 1 shows a basket made from a printed sheet of paper (Iripack MPack by Vizille Vicat), from which the desired outer shape 17 and the openings 13 for the inlet and outlet of the rinsing water are punched out. From this punched flat material, the three-dimensional basket is folded with a base 20, the visible side 22, the back 21, the two short side walls 23, the two long side walls 24, and the lid 25. To simplify folding, the basket has embossed indentations 14 on all folded edges 18. Each of the two long side walls 24 has an insertion tongue 15 which, when folded, can be inserted into corresponding notches 16 on the short side walls 23.

[0069] The insertion tabs 15 may be slightly tapered at the outer end to facilitate insertion. They may also have an undercut 34 to prevent the basket from accidentally opening after insertion.

[0070] Once the container has been folded to the extent that an open three-dimensional container is formed from the base 20, the visible side 22 and back 21, and the side walls 23, 24 (see Figure 2), the toilet block can be poured in. If the openings of the container are sealed with a gas-tight material according to the particularly preferred variant, the hot cleaning agent mass can also be poured into the open container.

[0071] After inserting or filling the cleaning agent 10, the container 11 is closed by folding the lid 25 at the embossed folding edge 14, 18 and inserting the insertion tongues 35 located on the visible side 22 or rear side 21 into corresponding slots 36 near or on the embossed folding edge 14, 18 of the lid 25, see Figure 3.

[0072] Subsequently, a hanging device can be attached to the filled container 11, for example by inserting it into the openings 33 in the lid 25, so that the container 11 with the cleaning agent 10 can then be hung on the hanging device on the edge of the toilet bowl.

[0073] An example of an attractively printed blank is shown in Figure 4. 2. Comparative tests on foam development a. Comparison of the foam development of a low-foaming toilet block in a paper and a polypropylene container

[0074] To demonstrate the enhanced foaming of a toilet block in the container according to the invention, two identical low-foaming toilet blocks were suspended from the rim of a toilet, one in the paper container according to the invention and the other in a conventional PP container, and regularly flushed with water (19 flushes in 24 hours). One flush corresponds to 8 liters of water at a temperature of 18°C.

[0075] The basic formulation of the low-foaming toilet block used (certified EcoCert toilet block) was as follows:

[0076] Description Share in %

[0077] Sodium sulfate Add 100

[0078] Sodium chloride 25-35

[0079] Anionic surfactants 20-30

[0080] Excipients* 5-10

[0081] Perfume 2-4

[0082] Amphoteric surfactants 0-3

[0083] Dye 0-2

[0084] *For EcoCert formulations, the PEG must either be bio-based or not included in the formulation.

[0085] The paper container was approximately the same size and openings as the PP basket, and Iripack MPack was used as the fiber material. The cut edges of the basket were embossed.

[0086] A large number of individual photos were taken of the 80th flush at 5-second intervals and evaluated for the appearance and height of the foam. For this purpose, a scale with 0.5 cm increments, starting at the water level, was glued into the toilet bowl.

[0087] The test results are summarized in the following table and graph:

[0088]

[0089] The comparative tests show that the agent in the paper container not only produces a larger foam volume, but also that the foam produced in the paper container decomposes more slowly.

[0090] In addition, the foam bubbles in the toilet block stored in the wastepaper basket were much finer-pored than in the PP basket.

[0091] The wastepaper basket remained stable and looked attractive even after 250 flushes, although 19 flushes per day represents increased stress on the basket compared to normal use. b. Comparison of the foam development of a normal foaming toilet block in a paper and a polypropylene container.

[0092] In the experiments to determine foam with a normal foaming toilet block, the procedure was the same as for the weakly foaming toilet block, with photos of the 80th flush being taken at 10-minute intervals.

[0093] For the tests, a standard toilet block with the following recipe was used:

[0094] Description Share in %

[0095] Sodium sulfate Add 100

[0096] Anionic surfactants 20-30

[0097] Sodium chloride 20-30

[0098] Excipients 5-15

[0099] Perfume 2-4

[0100] Amphoteric surfactants 0-3

[0101] Dye 0-2

[0102] The comparison tests in the PP basket and in the paper basket are shown in the following table and graph.

[0103]

[0104] The comparative tests show that both a low-foaming and a normal-foaming toilet block with a ratio of cellulose-containing fiber material produces greater foam development than in the conventional polypropylene container.

Claims

Claims: Cleaning agent (10) for the toilet area in a container (11) with openings (13), the cleaning agent (10) being in granular form and comprising surfactants and foaming agents, characterized in that the container (11) is made of cellulose-containing fiber material. Cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cellulose-containing fiber material is a sheet material and in particular paper or cardboard. Cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cellulose-containing fiber material is at least 95%, preferably 98%, and particularly preferably 100% recyclable and / or can be added to the waste paper container and / or is free of plastic fibers and / or is made at least partially from recycled cellulose-containing fiber material.A cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat cellulose-containing fiber material of the container (11) is printed, varnished, coated and / or embossed. A cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cut edges (12) of the container (11) are printed, varnished, coated and / or embossed. A cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the material for printing, varnishing or coating is selected from the group consisting of dispersion paints, varnishes, UV varnishes, waxes, resins, impregnating solutions or sprays, or white pigments. Cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (11) (without a hanging device) consists exclusively of the sheet-like cellulose-containing fiber material, in particular paper or cardboard, wherein the paper or cardboard may optionally be printed, varnished or coated. Cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the embossing is carried out such that the thickness of the sheet-like material is compressed by at least 10%, preferably by at least 15% and further preferably by at least 18%.Cleaning agent (10) for the toilet area in a container (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (11) has means (33) for detachable attachment to a hanging device and / or the container (11) and its openings (13) are substantially gas-tight and / or the openings (13) of the container (11) are closed with a sealing material (41) and the sealing material (41) is a water-soluble sealing material from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxide, polyacrylate, polyamide, acrylate maleic acid copolymer, polysaccharide, gelatin, cellulose derivative, in particular hydroxyethyl, methyl and propyl cellulose, maltodextrin or thermoplastic biodegradable granules or renewable raw materials and in particular is a water-soluble film which is laminated onto the planar cellulose-containing fiber material with the openings (13).Cleaning agent (10) for the toilet area in a container (11) according to claim 9, the container openings (13) of which are closed with a gas-tight and removable sealing material (41), characterized in that the container (11) with the cleaning agent (10) is packed in a non-gas-tight packaging, in particular a cardboard box. A method for producing a cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer shape (17) and openings (13) of the container (11) are punched or cut into a sheet of flat, cellulose-containing fiber material, optionally embossing (14) is applied to the cut flat material at the location of the fold lines (18), the flat material is folded into the container shape, the cleaning agent (10) is introduced into the open container, and the lid (25) is closed. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the sheet is printed, varnished, or coated before or after punching or cutting. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the cut flat material is embossed along the cut lines (12).Use of a cleaning agent (10) in a container (11) according to one of claims 1 to 10 for attachment to the rim of a toilet bowl, in particular for routine cleaning of toilets.

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