Method for producing detergents or cleaning agents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a preparation with a washing or cleaning effect, containing, based on the total weight of the preparation, a) 10 to 50 wt.% of sugar; b) 20 to 70 wt.% of polyalkylene glycol; c) 8 to 40 wt.% of an active substance with a washing or cleaning effect; d) optionally 1 to 12 wt.% of a stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants; and e) 5 to 20 wt.% of water; having the steps of: i) providing an aqueous sugar solution with a weight proportion of sugar above 50 wt.%; ii) optionally incorporating a stabilizer into the aqueous sugar solution; iii) introducing polyalkylene glycol into the aqueous sugar solution; iv) introducing an active substance with a washing or cleaning effect into the polyalkylene glycol-containing mixture, thereby forming a liquid preparation with a washing or cleaning effect; v) portioning the liquid preparation with a washing or cleaning effect; and vi) solidifying the portioned liquid preparation with a washing or cleaning effect, thereby forming a solid preparation with a washing or cleaning effect.

Description

[0001] Manufacturing process for detergents or cleaning agents'

[0002] The present invention relates to a process for producing detergents or cleaning agents. In particular, the application relates to a multi-stage production process in which carrier materials and active ingredients are processed into a storable, easily dosed, and rapidly curing pourable mass.

[0003] 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 the consumer and simplifying the steps required to carry out a washing or cleaning process. One solution is pre-portioned detergents and cleaning agents, for example, foil pouches with one or more compartments for solid or liquid preparations, or detergent or cleaning agent tablets.

[0004] The advantages of solid pre-portioned washing or cleaning agents include the significant reduction of non-washing or non-cleaning solvents and, in the case of tablets or cast bodies, the temporally stable spatial form.

[0005] Casting bodies with washing or cleaning activity are used as components of multi-phase washing or cleaning agent tablets or as components of washing or cleaning agents in water-soluble foil bags.

[0006] Detergents or cleaning agents in the form of trough tablets with cast cores are described, for example, in the German patent applications DE 199 45 849 A1 and DE 10 2015 213 939 A1.

[0007] Pourable detergent or cleaning preparations must possess a number of properties for efficient processing in large-scale industrial processes. These include long-lasting chemical and physical stability of the liquid detergent or cleaning preparation prior to processing. The ingredients of the molten preparations must not decompose during storage prior to further processing despite elevated storage temperatures, nor must the rheological properties of the molten preparations, for example, undergo fundamental changes during storage.

[0008] During their portioning and packaging, pourable washing or cleaning preparations are preferably characterized by an easily controllable dripping behavior.

[0009] The pourable washing or cleaning preparations should cure quickly after portioning into solid bodies with dry, non-sticky, and preferably glossy surfaces. Defective process products should ideally be easily recycled, for example by melting, and returned to the production process.

[0010] Against this background, the objective of the application was to provide an efficient process for the production of pourable washing or cleaning preparations that can be stored stably for periods relevant for large-scale production, solidify in a sufficiently short time, and form castings with an appealing feel and appearance. The resulting castings should also be easily recyclable.

[0011] To achieve this object, a process is suitable for producing a washing or cleaning-active preparation comprising, based on its total weight, a) 10 to 50% by weight of sugar; b) 20 to 70% by weight of polyalkylene glycol; c) 8 to 40% by weight of washing or cleaning-active active ingredient; d) optionally 1 to 12% by weight of stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants; e) 5 to 20% by weight of water; comprising the steps: i) providing an aqueous sugar solution with a sugar content above 50% by weight; ii) optionally introducing a stabilizer into the aqueous sugar solution; iii) introducing polyalkylene glycol into the aqueous sugar solution; iv) introducing washing or cleaning-active active ingredient into the aqueous sugar solution; v) portioning the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation; vi) solidification of the portioned liquid washing or cleaning preparation to form a solid washing or cleaning preparation.

[0012] The claimed process relates to the production of washing or cleaning preparations based on a carrier material containing sugar and polyethylene glycol. As a first optional component, the washing or cleaning preparations contain, based on their total weight, 10 to 50 wt.%, preferably 20 to 45 wt.%, and in particular 25 to 40 wt.% sugar. Corresponding weight proportions have proven advantageous for the processability of the process mixture, the curing properties of the liquid washing or cleaning preparation, and the physical properties of the solid washing or cleaning preparation, in particular its hardness and appearance.

[0013] The term "sugar" refers to simple and multiple sugars, i.e., monosaccharides and oligosaccharides in which 2 to 6 monosaccharides are linked together in an acetal-like manner. "Sugar" in the context of the present invention therefore refers to monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides, tetra-, penta-, and hexasaccharides. Preferred processes involve the use of sugars from the group of monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides, pentasaccharides, and hexasaccharides. Due to their availability and processability, the use of disaccharides is particularly preferred.

[0014] Monosaccharides which can be used as sugar in the context of the claimed process are, for example, the tetroses D(-)-erythrose and D(-)-threose as well as D(-)-erythrulose, the pentoses D(-)-ribose, D(-)-ribulose, D(-)-arabinose, D(+)-xylose, D(-)-xylulose as well as D(-)-lyxose and the hexoses D(+)-allose, D(+)-altrose, D(+)-glucose, D(+)-mannose, D(-)-gulose, D(-)-ldose, D(+)-galactose, D(+)-talose, D(+)-psicose, D(-)-fructose, D(+)-sorbose and D(-)-tagatose. The monosaccharides used with particular preference are: D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-fructose, L-arabinose, D-xylose, D-ribose and 2-deoxy-D-ribose, especially D-glucose.

[0015] The group of disaccharides includes, for example, sucrose (cane sugar), trehalose, lactose (milk sugar), lactulose, maltose (malt sugar), cellobiose (a degradation product of cellulose), gentobiose, melibiose, and turanose. In preferred processes, the sugar is selected from the group of disaccharides, preferably from the group of sucrose, trehalose, lactose, maltose, and cellobiose, particularly preferably from the group of sucrose.

[0016] Polyalkylene glycol is a second optional component of the washing or cleaning preparations produced according to the invention. The proportion of polyalkylene glycol in the total weight of the preparations is 20 to 70 wt.%, preferably 25 to 60 wt.%, and in particular 30 to 50 wt.%.

[0017] Preferred polyalkylene glycols are selected from the group of polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols, preferably from the group of polyethylene glycols.

[0018] For the storage stability of the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation and its curing properties, polyethylene glycols from the group of polyethylene glycols with an average molecular weight (Mn) of >1500 g / mol, preferably an average molecular weight of 3,000 to 15,000 g / mol, more preferably with an average molecular weight of 3,000 to 9,000 g / mol, further preferably with an average molecular weight of 4,000 to 8,000 g / mol and in particular with an average molecular weight of 4,000 to 6,000 g / mol have proven advantageous. When reference is made to “average molecular weight of polyalkylene glycols” in this application, these figures refer to the number-average molecular weights (Mn), which are calculated from the OH number measured in accordance with DIN 53240-1:2012-07.

[0019] The washing or cleaning active ingredients form a third group of optional process reactants. Their weight proportion of the total weight of the washing or cleaning preparations produced is 8 to 40 wt.%, preferably 10 to 30 wt.%, and in particular 12 to 20 wt.%.

[0020] Even if the selection of the washing or cleaning active ingredient is not subject to any significant restrictions, washing or cleaning active ingredients selected from the group of builders, washing or cleaning active polymers, corrosion inhibitors and mixtures thereof are preferred due to their ease of processing.

[0021] The group of preferred builders includes, in particular, builders from the group of aminocarboxylic acids and their salts, particularly preferably from the group consisting of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and its salts, glutamic acid (GLDA) and its salts, ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDS) and its salts, iminodisuccinic acid (IDS) and its salts, and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and its salts. The use of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and its salts is particularly preferred.

[0022] The group of washing or cleaning-active polymers includes, in particular, polycarboxylates. The washing or cleaning-active agent is preferably selected from the group of polycarboxylates, in particular the copolymer polyacrylates, particularly preferably the copolymer polyacrylates containing sulfonic acid groups.

[0023] The copolymers can have two, three, four, or more different monomer units. Preferred copolymeric polysulfonates contain, in addition to monomer(s) containing sulfonic acid groups, at least one monomer from the group of unsaturated carboxylic acids.

[0024] As a further preferred washing or cleaning active ingredient, the washing or cleaning-active compositions produced according to the invention contain a washing or cleaning active ingredient from the group of glass corrosion inhibitors, with glass corrosion inhibitors from the group of water-soluble zinc salts, in particular from the group of zinc sulfate and zinc acetate, but above all zinc acetate, being preferred.

[0025] To improve the processability of the liquid washing or cleaning preparation and its curing properties, the washing or cleaning preparation preferably contains a stabilizer from the group of nonionic surfactants. The weight fraction of the stabilizer in the total weight of the washing or cleaning preparation is preferably 1 to 12 wt.%, particularly preferably 2 to 10 wt.%.

[0026] Preferred stabilizers are solid at room temperature. Stabilizers from the group of nonionic surfactants with a melting point above 30°C, especially in the range of 40 to 60°C, have proven particularly suitable. The use of solid surfactants has proven advantageous for both the solidification and the haptic properties of the washing or cleaning preparation. The melting point of the surfactant (in °C) is determined using differential calorimetry (DSC) according to ISO standard 1 1357. For the purposes of the invention, the melting point is considered to be the peak temperature determined by DSC in the second heating run. This is the temperature at which the apex / maximum deflection (on the y-axis) in the DSC diagram is present. If multiple peaks – within 5% of the maximum deflection observed in the second heating run – are present in a surfactant (commercial product), the temperature of the first peak is considered the melting point according to the invention.

[0027] Suitable surfactants are in particular linear, saturated fatty acid alcohol ethoxylates with 14 to 18 C atoms in the alkyl chain and 10 to 100 ethylene oxide units, which are preferably not end-capped.

[0028] Further preferred nonionic surfactants are ethoxylated monohydroxyalkanols or alkylphenols, which additionally contain polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer units. The alcohol or alkylphenol moiety of such nonionic surfactant molecules preferably makes up more than 30 wt.%, particularly preferably more than 50 wt.%, and especially more than 70 wt.% of the total molar mass of such nonionic surfactants. Preferred agents are characterized by containing ethoxylated and propoxylated nonionic surfactants in which the propylene oxide units in the molecule make up up to 25 wt.%, preferably up to 20 wt.%, and especially up to 15 wt.% of the total molar mass of the nonionic surfactant.

[0029] Stabilizers from the group of non-ionic surfactants of the formula R have proven particularly suitable. 1 O[CH2CH(CH3)O]x[CH2CH2O]y[CH2CH(CH3)O]zR 2 (I) proved in the

[0030] R 1 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms,

[0031] R 2 denotes a preferably hydroxylated, linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 26 carbon atoms, x and z are values ​​from 0 to 40 and y is a value of at least 15.

[0032] Stabilizers from the group of non-ionic surfactants of the formula R are particularly preferred. 1 O[CH2CH2O] y H (II), in the

[0033] R 1 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, y represents a value from 12 to 100, preferably 15 to 50 and in particular 20 to 40.

[0034] Particularly storage-stable liquid washing or cleaning-active preparations with good curing properties and an advantageous appearance after solidification have washing or cleaning-active preparations which

[0035] - washing or cleaning active ingredient from the group of aminocarboxylic acids, preferably methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) or its salts and

[0036] - Stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants of formula R 1 O[CH2CH2O] y H (II), in the o R 1 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, oy represents a value from 12 to 100, preferably 15 to 50 and in particular 20 to 40.

[0037] In this embodiment, a weight ratio of aminocarboxylic acid to stabilizer of 6:1 to 1:1, preferably of 5:1 to 3:2 and in particular of 4:1 to 2:1 has proven to be particularly advantageous from an industrial point of view.

[0038] The washing or cleaning preparation is low in water. Preferred washing or cleaning preparations contain, based on their total weight, 5 to 15% by weight, preferably 5 to 12% by weight, of water.

[0039] The washing or cleaning preparation is preferably also free of organic solvents. By reducing the proportion of organic solvents, the solidification times of the washing or cleaning preparation could be shortened. "Free from," as used in this context, means that the corresponding component is present in the preparation in an amount of <1 wt.%, preferably <0.1 wt.%, even more preferably <0.01 wt.%. In particular, such a component is then not intentionally added. The group of organic solvents from which the washing or cleaning preparation is free includes, in particular, ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, butanol, glycol, propanediol, butanediol, methylpropanediol, glycerin, and mixtures thereof.

[0040] To enhance their visual appearance, preferred washing or cleaning-active preparations preferably contain dye f). The weight proportion of the dye in the total weight of the washing or cleaning-active preparation is preferably 0.05 to 0.5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 0.3% by weight.

[0041] In summary, processes for producing a washing or cleaning-active preparation containing, based on its total weight, a) 10 to 50 wt.% sucrose; b) 20 to 70 wt.% polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 4000 to 6000 g / mol; c) 12 to 20 wt.% methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and its salts; d) 2 to 10 wt.% stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants, formula (II) R 1 O[CH2CH2O] y H, in the o R 1represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, oy represents a value from 12 to 100, preferably 15 to 50 and in particular 20 to 40; e) 5 to 12% by weight of water; comprising the steps: i) providing an aqueous sucrose solution with a sucrose weight fraction above 50% by weight; ii) introducing a stabilizer into the aqueous sucrose solution; iii) introducing polyethylene glycol into the aqueous sucrose solution; iv) introducing methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) or its salts into the polyalkylene glycol-containing mixture to form a liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation; v) portioning the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation; vi) solidifying the portioned liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation to form a solid washing or cleaning-active preparation. particularly preferred.

[0042] The composition of some of the preferred washing and cleaning preparations can be found in the following tables (data in % by weight based on the total weight of the preparation unless otherwise stated). ) Stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants ) Aminocarboxylic acid, preferably from the group consisting of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and its salts, glutaminediacetic acid (GLDA) and its salts, ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDS) and its salts, iminodisuccinic acid (IDS) and its salts and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and its salts and particularly preferably from the group consisting of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and its salts. ) Polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight (Mn) of >1500 g / mol, preferably an average molecular weight of 3,000 to 15,000 g / mol, more preferably an average molecular weight of 3,000 to 9,000 g / mol, further preferably an average molecular weight of 4,000 to 8,000 g / mol and in particular an average molecular weight of 4,000 to 6,000 g / mol

[0043] 4) Stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants of formula R 1 O[CH2CH2O] yH, in the R 1 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, y represents a value from 12 to 100, preferably 15 to 50 and in particular 20 to 40.

[0044] The production of the washing or cleaning preparation begins in step i) with the provision of an aqueous sugar solution with a sugar content above 50 wt.%. To achieve shorter curing times and an improved appearance of the optionally colored, cured washing or cleaning preparation, it has proven advantageous if the aqueous sugar solution in step i) has a sugar content of 60 to 95 wt.%, preferably 70 to 90 wt.%. The sugar solution can be provided continuously or discontinuously. A batch process is preferred.

[0045] When carrying out the multi-stage manufacturing process, temperature control of the mixture has proven advantageous for its processability and dosability. The aqueous sugar solution in step i) preferably has a temperature above 50°C, preferably above 70°C, and in particular in the range of 85 to 98°C.

[0046] For the above-mentioned reasons, an elevated temperature is also preferred in the optional step ii), wherein the aqueous sugar solution in step ii) preferably has a temperature above 50°C, particularly preferably above 70°C and in particular in the range from 85 to 98°C.

[0047] If a stabilizer is added to the mixture, the sequence of process steps ii) and iii) may vary: process step ii) may be carried out before process step iii); process step ii) may be carried out simultaneously with process step iii); process step ii) may be carried out after process step iii).

[0048] For improved process control, it has proven advantageous to carry out process step ii) before or after process step iii).

[0049] In step iii), the temperature of the aqueous sugar solution is preferably above 85°C, more preferably above 90°C and in particular in the range from 95 to 110°C.

[0050] To support the further process, in particular to ensure consistent product properties, the liquid polyalkylene glycol-containing mixture in step iii) is homogenized before step iv), preferably for a period of 5 to 60 minutes, particularly preferably 10 to 40 minutes. Homogenization is particularly preferably achieved by stirring.

[0051] In step iv), the elevated temperatures are preferably maintained. The liquid washing or cleaning preparation in step iv) therefore preferably has a temperature above 85°C, particularly preferably above 90°C, and in particular in the range from 95 to 110°C.

[0052] Regardless of the chemical nature of the washing or cleaning active ingredient, the washing or cleaning active ingredient is preferably added in portions in step iv). This portion-wise addition facilitates homogenization and thereby shortens the homogenization phase of the liquid washing or cleaning preparation, which is preferably carried out in step iv) and before step v), and which preferably lasts from 20 to 120 minutes, particularly preferably from 30 to 90 minutes. Again, homogenization is particularly preferably achieved by stirring.

[0053] In step v) of the process, the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is portioned. During portioning, the liquid washing or cleaning preparation preferably has a temperature above 85°C, particularly preferably in the range of 85 to 95°C.

[0054] The portioning serves to separate a portion of the active ingredient-containing aqueous sugar solution obtained in step iv). The separated portion of the portioned liquid washing or cleaning preparation is subsequently solidified in step vi) to form a solid washing or cleaning preparation. The liquid washing or cleaning preparation is preferably cooled for this purpose.

[0055] The solid obtained in step v) has a stable three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape of the final product and its appearance can therefore be influenced by the method of portioning the active ingredient-containing aqueous sugar solution in step iv).

[0056] In step v), the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is preferably portioned onto a flat surface. Portioning and subsequent curing on a flat surface facilitates subsequent collection and further processing of the resulting solid washing or cleaning preparation, compared to portioning and curing in a trough.

[0057] In a first process alternative, the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is portioned in step v) onto a cooling surface, preferably onto a circulating steel belt. The portioning takes place, for example, using a drop former. On the cooling surface, the drops of the solid washing or cleaning preparation dispensed from the drop former are solidified into solid bodies. The time between the mixture being dropped onto the steel belt and complete solidification is preferably between 25 and 500 seconds, particularly preferably between 60 and 420 seconds, and in particular between 120 and 360 seconds. The solidification of the mixture is preferably assisted and accelerated by cooling. The portioned drops can be cooled directly or indirectly. Direct cooling, for example, can be achieved by cooling with cold air.However, indirect cooling of the drops by cooling the underside of the drip surface with cold water is preferred.

[0058] In an alternative process variant, the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is portioned into a preformed receiving trough in step v). Portioning into a receiving trough enables the production of three-dimensional shapes that are inaccessible due to the solidification of the liquid washing or cleaning preparation on a flat surface.

[0059] The preformed receiving cavity can be a permanent mold or a temporary mold (mogul casting). The washing or cleaning agent contained in the receiving cavity is removed from the receiving cavity after it has solidified and is processed further.

[0060] If the solid washing or cleaning preparation is the end product of the process, it can be packaged, for example, in bulk or sorted in an outer packaging.

[0061] If the solid washing or cleaning preparation is an intermediate product, it can be taken up and, for example, combined with other components to form a final process product. In a preferred variant of this process sequence, the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is portioned into a preformed receiving trough in step v). The solid washing or cleaning preparation formed after solidification of the portioned liquid washing or cleaning preparation is subsequently removed from the receiving trough and transferred into the cavity of a washing or cleaning agent tablet or the receiving chamber of a water-soluble container.

[0062] As an alternative to the previously described devices, the surface of another washing or cleaning agent can also be used as the surface onto which the liquid washing or cleaning agent is portioned in step v). This procedure enables the combination of the solid washing or cleaning agent with other components without the intermediate uptake and handling of the solid washing or cleaning agent as an intermediate product and is preferred due to these efficiency advantages.

[0063] In one embodiment of the process, the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation is portioned into the cavity of a washing or cleaning agent tablet in step v).

[0064] In a further embodiment of the process, the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is portioned into the receiving chamber of a water-soluble container in step v). Direct portioning into the receiving chamber of a water-soluble container and subsequent curing in the receiving chamber is suitable for stabilizing the three-dimensional shape of the water-soluble container. This applies in particular when the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is portioned into a receiving chamber obtained by deforming a water-soluble film in step v).

[0065] If the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is portioned into the receiving chamber of a water-soluble container in step v), it is preferable to portion the liquid washing or cleaning preparation onto the surface of a washing or cleaning agent located in the receiving chamber of the water-soluble container. The washing or cleaning agent located in the water-soluble container is preferably in the form of a shaped body, a solidified melt, or a powder. If the liquid washing or cleaning preparation is dosed onto the surface of a shaped body, a solidified melt, or a powder located in the water-soluble container, these are fixed in the water-soluble container, and subsequent process steps such as optional sealing of the container or shrinkage of the water-soluble container material are simplified.The appearance of the process product is improved by this procedure in that the previously described fixation of the other components results in a uniform product appearance across a large number of process products.

[0066] In a preferred process variant, the solid washing or cleaning preparation is enclosed by means of a water-soluble film in a further step vii) following step vi). The solid washing or cleaning preparation can be enclosed in a water-soluble film as an independent end product of the process. However, it is preferred if the solid washing or cleaning preparation is enclosed as a component of a washing or cleaning preparation, in particular as a filling of the cavity of a washing or cleaning agent tablet or as a filling of a water-soluble container obtained by deforming a water-soluble film.

[0067] Surprisingly, it has been found that the solid washing or cleaning-active preparation produced according to the invention has a high temperature tolerance when the water-soluble film enclosing it shrinks and does not run or lose its color or gloss under the shrinkage conditions.

[0068] A further subject matter of the application is therefore a process in which the solid washing or cleaning preparation enclosed in a water-soluble film is transported through a shrink tunnel by means of a transport device, and the water-soluble film is shrunk in the shrink tunnel. Shrinking preferably takes place at a temperature of 120 to 290°C, preferably 140 to 260°C, and in particular 175 to 230°C.

[0069] In summary, processes for producing a washing or cleaning-active preparation containing, based on its total weight, a) 10 to 50 wt.% sucrose; b) 20 to 70 wt.% polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 4000 to 6000 g / mol; c) 12 to 20 wt.% methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) or its salts; d) 2 to 10 wt.% stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants, formula (II) R 1 O[CH2CH2O] y H, in the o R 1represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, oy represents a value from 12 to 100, preferably 15 to 50 and in particular 20 to 40; e) 5 to 12% by weight of water; comprising the steps: i) providing an aqueous sucrose solution with a sucrose weight fraction above 50% by weight; ii) introducing a stabilizer into the aqueous sucrose solution; iii) introducing polyethylene glycol into the aqueous sucrose solution; iv) introducing methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) or its salts into the polyalkylene glycol-containing mixture to form a liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation; v) portioning the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation; vi) solidifying the portioned liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation to form a solid washing or cleaning-active preparation.vii) enclosing the solid washing or cleaning preparation by means of a water-soluble film; viii) shrinking the water-soluble film in a shrink tunnel; particularly preferred.

[0070] This registration provides, among other things, the following items:

[0071] 1. A process for producing a washing or cleaning-active preparation containing, based on its total weight a) 10 to 50 wt.% sugar; b) 20 to 70 wt.% polyalkylene glycol; c) 8 to 40 wt.% washing or cleaning-active ingredient; d) optionally 1 to 12 wt.% stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants; e) 5 to 20 wt.% water; comprising the steps: i) providing an aqueous sugar solution with a proportion by weight of sugar above 50 wt.-%; ii) optionally incorporating a stabilizer into the aqueous sugar solution; iii) incorporating polyalkylene glycol into the aqueous sugar solution; iv) incorporating washing or cleaning active ingredient into the polyalkylene glycol-containing mixture to form a liquid washing or cleaning preparation; v) portioning the liquid washing or cleaning preparation; vi) solidifying the portioned liquid washing or cleaning preparation to form a solid washing or cleaning preparation.

[0072] 2. Process according to point 1, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation contains, based on its total weight, 20 to 45% by weight, preferably 25 to 40% by weight, of sugar.

[0073] 3. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the sugar is selected from the group of monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides, pentasaccharides and hexasaccharides, preferably from the group of dissaccharides.

[0074] 4. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the sugar is selected from the group of disaccharides, preferably from the group sucrose, trehalose, lactose, maltose and cellobiose, preferably from the group of sucrose.

[0075] 5. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation contains, based on its total weight, 25 to 60 wt.% and in particular 30 to 50 wt.% polyalkylene glycol.

[0076] 6. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the polyalkylene glycol is selected from the group of polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols, preferably from the group of polyethylene glycols.

[0077] 7. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the polyalkylene glycol is selected from the group of polyethylene glycols, preferably from the group of polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight (Mn) of >1500 g / mol, preferably an average molecular weight of 3,000 to 15,000 g / mol, more preferably an average molecular weight of 3,000 to 9,000 g / mol, further preferably an average molecular weight of 4,000 to 8,000 g / mol and in particular an average molecular weight of 4,000 to 6,000 g / mol.

[0078] 8. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation contains, based on its total weight, 10 to 30 wt.% and in particular 12 to 20 wt.% of washing or cleaning-active active ingredient.

[0079] 9. The process according to any one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning active ingredient is selected from the group of builders, washing or cleaning-active polymers, corrosion inhibitors, and mixtures thereof. 10. The process according to any one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning active ingredient is selected from the group of builders, preferably from the group of aminocarboxylic acids and their salts, particularly preferably from the group consisting of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and its salts, glutaminediacetic acid (GLDA) and its salts, ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDS) and its salts, iminodisuccinic acid (IDS) and its salts, and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and its salts, and in particular from the group consisting of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and its salts.

[0080] 11. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning active ingredient is selected from the group of polycarboxylates, in particular the copolymer polyacrylates, particularly preferably the copolymer polyacrylates containing sulfonic acid groups.

[0081] 12. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning active ingredient is selected from the group of glass corrosion inhibitors, preferably water-soluble zinc salts, particularly preferably zinc sulfate and zinc acetate, in particular zinc acetate.

[0082] 13. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation contains, based on its total weight, 2 to 10 wt.% of stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants.

[0083] 14. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group of non-ionic surfactants having a melting point above 30°C, preferably in the range of 40 to 60°C.

[0084] 15. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation contains a stabilizer, and the stabilizer is selected from the group of non-ionic surfactants of the formula (I)

[0085] R 1 O[CH2CH(CH3)O]x[CH2CH2O]y[CH2CH(CH3)O]zR 2 in the

[0086] R 1 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms,

[0087] R 2 denotes a preferably hydroxylated, linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 26 carbon atoms, x and z are values ​​from 0 to 40 and y is a value of at least 15.

[0088] 16. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation contains a stabilizer, and the stabilizer is selected from the group of non-ionic surfactants of the formula (II)

[0089] R 1 O[CH2CH2O] y H in the R 1 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, y represents a value from 12 to 100, preferably 15 to 50 and in particular 20 to 40.

[0090] 17. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation

[0091] - washing or cleaning active ingredient from the group of aminocarboxylic acids, preferably methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) or its salts and

[0092] - Stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants of formula (II)

[0093] R 1 O[CH2CH2O] y H (II), in the o R 1represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, oy represents a value from 12 to 100, preferably 15 to 50 and in particular 20 to 40.

[0094] 18. Process according to item 17, wherein the weight ratio of aminocarboxylic acid and stabilizer is 6:1 to 1:1, preferably 5:1 to 3:2 and in particular 4:1 to 2:1.

[0095] 19. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation contains, based on its total weight, 5 to 15% by weight, preferably 5 to 12% by weight, of water.

[0096] 20. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation further comprises dye f).

[0097] 21. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the aqueous sugar solution in step i) has a weight fraction of sugar of 60 to 95 wt.%, preferably of 70 to 90 wt.%.

[0098] 22. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the aqueous sugar solution in step i) has a temperature above 50°C, preferably above 70°C and in particular in the range from 85 to 98°C.

[0099] 23. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the aqueous sugar solution in step ii) has a temperature above 50°C, preferably above 70°C and in particular in the range from 85 to 98°C.

[0100] 24. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein step ii) takes place before step iii).

[0101] 25. A method according to any one of the preceding points, wherein step ii) occurs simultaneously with step iii). 26. A method according to any one of the preceding points, wherein step ii) occurs after step iii).

[0102] 27. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the aqueous sugar solution in step iii) has a temperature above 85°C, preferably above 90°C and in particular in the range from 95 to 110°C.

[0103] 28. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid polyalkylene glycol-containing mixture in step iii) is homogenized, preferably stirred, for a period of 5 to 60 minutes, preferably 10 to 40 minutes, before step iv).

[0104] 29. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step iv) has a temperature above 85°C, preferably above 90°C and in particular in the range from 95 to 110°C.

[0105] 30. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the washing or cleaning active ingredient in step iv) is added in portions.

[0106] 31. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step iv) of instruction v) is homogenized, preferably stirred, for a period of 20 to 120 minutes, preferably 30 to 90 minutes.

[0107] 32. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation has a temperature above 85°C, preferably in the range from 85 to 95°C, during the portioning in step v).

[0108] 33. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation is portioned onto a flat surface in step v).

[0109] 34. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning preparation in step v) is portioned onto a cooling surface, preferably onto a circulating steel belt.

[0110] 35. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation is portioned into a preformed receiving trough in step v).

[0111] 36. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation is portioned into a pre-formed receiving trough in step v), wherein the solid washing or cleaning-active preparation formed after solidification of the portioned liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation is subsequently removed from the receiving trough and transferred into the cavity of a washing or cleaning agent tablet or the receiving chamber of a water-soluble container.

[0112] 37. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step v) is portioned onto the surface of another washing or cleaning agent.

[0113] 38. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step v) is portioned into the cavity of a washing or cleaning agent tablet.

[0114] 39. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation is portioned into the receiving chamber of a water-soluble container in step v).

[0115] 40. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step v) is portioned into a receiving chamber obtained by deforming a water-soluble film.

[0116] 41. Method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step v) is portioned onto the surface of a washing or cleaning agent located in the receiving chamber of a water-soluble container.

[0117] 42. Process according to any one of the preceding points, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation is cooled in step vi) to solidify.

[0118] 43. Process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the solid washing or cleaning-active preparation is enclosed by means of a water-soluble film in a further step vii) following step vi).

[0119] 44. The method according to item 43, wherein the solid washing or cleaning preparation enclosed in a water-soluble film is transported through a shrink tunnel by means of a transport device and the water-soluble film is shrunk in the shrink tunnel.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A process for the preparation of a washing or cleaning-active preparation containing, based on its total weight, a) 10 to 50 wt.% sugar; b) 20 to 70 wt.% polyalkylene glycol; c) 8 to 40 wt.% washing or cleaning-active ingredient; d) optionally 1 to 12 wt.% stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants; e) 5 to 20 wt.% water; comprising the steps: i) providing an aqueous sugar solution with a weight fraction of sugar above 50 % by weight; ii) optionally introducing a stabilizer into the aqueous sugar solution; iii) introducing polyalkylene glycol into the aqueous sugar solution; iv) introducing washing or cleaning active ingredient into the polyalkylene glycol-containing mixture to form a liquid washing or cleaning preparation; v) portioning the liquid washing or cleaning preparation; vi) solidifying the portioned liquid washing or cleaning preparation to form a solid washing or cleaning preparation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the washing or cleaning-active preparation - washing or cleaning active ingredient from the group of aminocarboxylic acids, preferably methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) or its salts and - Stabilizer from the group of non-ionic surfactants of formula (II) R 1 O[CH2CH2O] y H (II), in the o R 1represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, oy represents a value from 12 to 100, preferably 15 to 50 and in particular 20 to 40.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein method step ii) takes place before method step iii).

4. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the aqueous sugar solution in step iii) has a temperature above 85°C, preferably above 90°C and in particular in the range from 95 to 110°C.

5. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation has a temperature above 85°C, preferably in the range from 85 to 95°C, during the portioning in step v).

6. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step v) is portioned into the cavity of a washing or cleaning agent tablet.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step v) is portioned into a receiving chamber obtained by deforming a water-soluble film.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid washing or cleaning-active preparation in step v) is portioned onto the surface of a washing or cleaning agent located in the receiving chamber of a water-soluble container.

9. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid washing or cleaning-active preparation is enclosed by means of a water-soluble film in a further step vii) following step vi).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the solid washing or cleaning-active preparation enclosed in a water-soluble film is transported through a shrink tunnel by means of a transport device and the water-soluble film is shrunk in the shrink tunnel.

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