Acid-containing composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing an acid-containing composition, to a raw mixture for producing such a composition, to a composition which is produced by the method, and to the use of the composition.

Description

[0001] Acidic composition

[0002] The present invention relates to a process for producing an acid-containing composition, a raw mixture for producing such a composition, a composition produced by this process, and the use of this composition.

[0003] Appliances or industrial systems used to prepare or supply hot water are often subject to the problem of temperature-related limescale precipitation or calcification. This also applies to items such as dishes, on which limescale deposits form during a process in which the items come into contact with warm water.

[0004] Various active ingredients, descalers, and rinse aids are available on the market, each based on different active substances. These are typically liquid or powdered descalers or rinse aids. These descalers or rinse aids usually consist of rinse-aid ingredients combined with a so-called salt substitute. These ingredients are usually special non-ionic surfactants and polymers with a substantive effect on hard surfaces.

[0005] Descaling or rinsing in industrial or commercial applications also requires the active ingredients to be used in a mostly automatic cleaning program, and after programming, the program runs without the presence of operating personnel. Therefore, the descaler or rinse aid must be able to withstand several hours of exposure to adverse conditions (high humidity, high temperatures) without loss of usability or effectiveness, even after unpacking.

[0006] An object of the invention is therefore to provide a production process for a temperature and humidity stable composition which shows an improved consistency and a very good effectiveness in a descaling or rinsing process, as well as the use of the composition in the industrial and commercial sector.

[0007] The object described here is achieved on the one hand by a production process for a composition according to claim 1, a raw mixture for production according to claim 5, a composition according to claim 9, and a use of the composition according to claim 15.

[0008] Such a process according to the invention for producing a composition comprises the steps

[0009] (i) providing a raw mixture comprising at least one acid, wherein at least a portion of the acid is selected from an anhydride and wherein the at least one acid is preferably selected from organic acids,

[0010] (ii) optionally adding further additives, preferably selected from surfactants and / or other acids and / or auxiliaries,

[0011] (iii) optionally heating the raw mixture to a predetermined minimum temperature,

[0012] (iv) adding water to form a mixture,

[0013] (v) optional addition of further additives,

[0014] (vi) Cool the mixture to room temperature.

[0015] Providing is understood to mean both on-site production and delivery of a raw mixture comprising at least one acid.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one acid is selected from organic acids. According to the invention, at least a portion of the acid is selected from an anhydride. The proportion of the acid anhydride is preferably above 90 wt.%, particularly preferably above 95 wt.%, in particular above 99 wt.%, and particularly preferably above 100 wt.%.

[0017] The present invention further relates to a raw mixture for use in the process according to the invention, comprising at least one acid, wherein the at least one acid is preferably selected from organic acids, wherein at least a portion of the acid is selected from an anhydride, optionally further additives, preferably selected from surfactants and / or further acids and / or auxiliaries.

[0018] The organic acids are preferably selected from dicarboxylic acids and / or tricarboxylic acids.

[0019] Such a raw mixture preferably comprises a negligible amount of water, preferably a water content of less than 0.1 wt.%. During the preparation of the composition according to the invention, further additives, preferably one or more surfactants and / or further acids and / or auxiliaries, may be added. The further additives can also be provided as a premix, i.e., without any proportion of the acid anhydride.

[0020] In principle, the addition of additives can take place before an optional heating (according to the above-mentioned step (iii)) and / or before the addition of water (according to step (iv)) and / or before cooling the mixture (according to step (vi)). However, the addition of one or more additives preferably takes place during the cooling according to step (vi).

[0021] Optionally, the raw mixture can be heated to a specified minimum temperature, e.g., a temperature of approximately 25 °C to approximately 80 °C, although the temperature range may depend on the available equipment or setup. Such heating can advantageously melt the acid anhydride.

[0022] In a next step, water can be added to form a mixture, thereby triggering an exothermic reaction in which, in the course of a temperature increase to preferably at least 80 °C, more preferably to at least 85 °C, in particular to at least 90 °C and / or up to a temperature of at most 135 °C, the proportion of dissolved acids can be advantageously increased and a substantially complete, i.e. almost 100%, conversion of the acid anhydride into the acid can take place, whereby excess water can be consumed.

[0023] According to the invention, the proportion of acid anhydride in the final composition (compared to the raw mixture) is therefore significantly reduced, i.e., the conversion of the anhydride into the acid is almost complete. By converting the acid anhydride into the acid, water is removed from the mixture, so that the water content in the final composition can be kept low, thereby improving the stability of the composition. Such a step can, for example, preferably be carried out in a mixing vessel with a stirrer (e.g., a conical mixer-dryer reactor) with stirring.

[0024] With the aid of the process according to the invention, the proportion of water can advantageously be kept sufficiently high at the beginning of the process to dissolve the acids. The exothermic reaction described above also causes a temperature increase, which can increase the proportion of dissolved acids by a factor of preferably 1.5 to 2.

[0025] Furthermore, the increase in temperature advantageously results in a liquefaction of the mixture, which can then be easily processed further, i.e. it can be filled into a container in the liquid state, for example, and can then harden to form a solid consistency.

[0026] Finally, the process according to the invention comprises a cooling step of the mixture to room temperature (i.e., to ambient temperature, for example, in a range of 15°C to 30°C). In this step, the composition according to the invention is preferably formed with the formation of a crystalline and / or amorphous, particularly preferably a crystalline solid mass in the form of a supersaturated suspension.

[0027] The present invention therefore also relates to a composition comprising

[0028] - at least one acid

[0029] - a water content, preferably a water content of up to 10% by weight, in particular up to 2% by weight, and / or at least 0.1% by weight

[0030] - optional additives, preferably selected from surfactants and / or other acids and / or auxiliaries.

[0031] Preferably, the composition is a single-phase or multi-phase composition, wherein at least one phase is solid and can dissolve in an aqueous environment and shows suitable solubility.

[0032] If the composition according to the invention contains a residual amount of water, this is a maximum of 10% by weight, preferably a maximum of 2% by weight and / or at least 0.1% by weight. Preferably, the residual amount of water can dissolve other acids or components if necessary.

[0033] Advantageously, the composition with a residual water content of max. 2 wt.% and / or at least 0.1 wt.% has improved temperature stability.

[0034] In the course of the process according to the invention, the composition according to the invention can be produced, for example, at temperatures of 60 °C. The composition according to the invention can advantageously be stabilized by the production process according to the invention, in particular by processing at high temperatures, preferably from approximately 80 °C, whereby storage of the composition at temperatures of up to 80 °C is possible without it liquefying. Such high storage temperatures are necessary for sea transport near the equator, but also for truck transport in warm regions (such as in Southern Europe, Africa, desert regions of the USA, Southeast Asia, Australia, etc.). Furthermore, such temperature stability is particularly necessary if the composition according to the invention is intended for use in systems or devices in which heating occurs.

[0035] In addition, the composition according to the invention remains dimensionally stable even at elevated temperatures (up to 80 °C) and advantageously has an improved consistency.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an active ingredient product which, in principle, can be designed in various forms, such as a disc, a cylinder, a block, or the like. For example, the composition can be filled into any desired mold from which the cured block can subsequently be removed. The composition is preferably block-shaped and / or preferably filled into a container, preferably a cartridge, and has a solid, optionally wax- or gel-like, preferably cut-resistant, consistency. The term "cut-resistant" is understood here to mean a composition in which a cut made with a knife remains visible as a cut. If the mixture is filled into a container, e.g. the container from which the dosage will later be dispensed, the solid block generally takes on the inner contours of the container.

[0037] The active ingredient product is preferably a cartridge containing a composition which can preferably be produced or is producible using the above-mentioned method. The conversion of the anhydride during the production process of the composition can be advantageously used to reduce the expansion of the mass. Therefore, the still liquid composition can be filled into a cartridge without any undesirable pressure being exerted on the cartridge from the inside during solidification. The likelihood of the cartridge deforming can thereby be advantageously prevented. Overall, this makes it possible for the product to be dimensionally stable not only during storage, but also during production or filling. The composition according to the invention can be present in a readily water-soluble phase and can advantageously dissolve essentially completely in water.“Substantially complete” means that the composition dissolves sufficiently, i.e. not too quickly and not too slowly, and thus has a solubility property or solubility rate suitable for an efficient effect.

[0038] A further aspect relates to an inventive use of the composition or an active ingredient product, preferably a sanitary cleaner, rinse aid or descaler, for cleaning, rinsing and descaling hot water-carrying objects, machines and (industrial) systems or objects, such as, for example, wash ware, as well as machines and (industrial) systems in which water is heated or which heat water, preferably hot water systems, such as, for example, heating elements, hot water boilers, (fully) automatic coffee machines, kettles, (commercial) dishwashers, commercial cooking and baking appliances, such as convection ovens and large cooking containers, and washing machines or also objects which are in these machines or systems as wash ware, such as, for example, dishes, cutlery, glasses and the like.

[0039] The application depends on the specific conditions within the device itself. Some devices already offer a special dosing or flushing device for the respective purpose, while in other devices the composition or active ingredient is introduced directly into the room to be treated or dissolved in water.

[0040] In commercial systems or appliances, for example, the challenge also lies in introducing the composition or active ingredient in such a way that the composition only dissolves above a certain temperature. Due to its high temperature stability, the composition according to the invention can advantageously be introduced into the commercial system or appliance in the form of a rinse aid or descaler, for example in the form of a rinse aid block, which can preferably also be contained in a cartridge, before the start of an (automatic) cleaning program.

[0041] If the composition according to the invention is used as a rinse aid, it can be used separately from a detergent and essentially performs the rinse aid function during the rinse cycle. For example, the rinse aid is contained in a cartridge and is installed in this form with the cartridge opening slightly tilted downward (for example, at an angle of approximately 15°) in a commercial dishwasher or in a cooking or cooking appliance. The commercial dishwasher or cooking appliance can have one or more specially provided holders for this purpose.

[0042] However, the rinse aid can also be used in combination with a detergent. For this purpose, the rinse aid can, for example, be integrated into a detergent system in the form of a solid block. "Integrated" in this sense means that the rinse aid is advantageously present in a separate phase or compartment, but is detachably or firmly bonded to the detergent system when ready for use (thus forming a two-phase, so-called "2 in 1" system in which at least two phases are present: solid-solid, solid-liquid, or solid-gel-like, possibly with a solid shell or coating). Separate compartments or units can be implemented, for example, in combination products in which the components for a detergent system, such as an alkaline detergent tablet, and a rinse aid block are pressed or manufactured separately and only subsequently combined with one another.Furthermore, a first phase, e.g., a detergent, can be poured into a mold, followed by the rinse aid composition. If necessary, the rinse aid can also be surrounded by the detergent. This eliminates the need for the user to add the rinse aid separately. This facilitates the use of the rinse aid, especially in automated processes.

[0043] Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein the claims of one claim category can also be developed analogously to the claims and description parts to form another claim category and, in particular, individual features of different embodiments or variants can be combined to form new embodiments or variants, even if the respective combination is not explicitly mentioned.

[0044] According to a preferred process for producing an advantageous composition, a water content of up to 20 wt.%, preferably up to 15 wt.%, particularly preferably up to 12 wt.%, is added to form or obtain a mixture according to step (iv). At least a water content of preferably 3.5 wt.% is added. The amount of water is advantageous for processability.

[0045] As mentioned above, the mixture can in principle be filled into a container, preferably into a cartridge, before heating or after heating and before cooling, so that a solid mass, preferably a solid block, is formed in the container.

[0046] A raw mixture for producing a beneficial composition preferably comprises at least two or at least three organic acids, with at least two organic acids being selected from dicarboxylic acids. Preferably, another organic acid is selected from a tricarboxylic acid, preferably a saturated tricarboxylic acid.

[0047] In particular, a raw mixture comprises dicarboxylic acid(s) selected from

[0048] - saturated dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid and / or malonic acid and / or

[0049] - unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid and / or citraconic acid.

[0050] The dicarboxylic acids are preferably selected from at least one saturated dicarboxylic acid and at least one unsaturated dicarboxylic acid. The dicarboxylic acid, in particular the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, is preferably selected from an anhydride.

[0051] As already explained above, a raw mixture or a mixture can comprise further acids which are selected, for example, from a sulfonic acid, such as amidosulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, cumenesulfonic acid and / or xylenesulfonic acid.

[0052] Furthermore, an advantageous raw mixture or a mixture may comprise at least one surfactant.

[0053] A composition produced using the process according to the invention preferably comprises a content of the at least one acid of more than 88 wt.%, preferably more than 95 wt.%, more preferably more than 96 wt.%, in particular more than 97 wt.%, especially preferably more than 98 wt.%. The content of the at least one acid is at most 99.5 wt.%, preferably at most 99 wt.%. The proportion of acids is formed from the sum of the individual acids present in the composition. Such a proportion of acids advantageously results in significantly increased descaling or rinsing efficiency. A preferred composition advantageously has an acidic pH when dissolved in water in an at least 1% aqueous solution, i.e. a pH of less than 7, preferably less than 4, more preferably less than 3, in particular less than 2.5, particularly preferably less than 2 and at least 1.5.

[0054] A further preferred composition comprises a proportion of saturated dicarboxylic acid of at least 0.1 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 9 wt.%, in particular at least 10 wt. A preferred composition comprises a proportion of saturated dicarboxylic acid of at most 20 wt.%, particularly preferably at most 12 wt.%, in particular at most 11 wt.%.

[0055] According to a further preferred composition, the proportion of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid is at least 20 wt.%, preferably at least 55 wt.%, in particular at least 60 wt.%; the proportion of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid is at most 90 wt.%, preferably at most 70 wt.%, in particular at most 65 wt.%.

[0056] If a preferred composition contains a tricarboxylic acid, its proportion is at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 22% by weight, in particular 24% by weight; the proportion of the tricarboxylic acid is at most 95% by weight, preferably at most 28% by weight, in particular at most 26% by weight.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, a rinse aid system comprises at least three organic acids, wherein preferably two organic acids are selected from dicarboxylic acids and the third organic acid is preferably selected from a tricarboxylic acid, preferably from a saturated tricarboxylic acid.

[0058] In a particularly preferred composition, the saturated dicarboxylic acid is selected from adipic acid, the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid is selected from maleic acid, and the optional tricarboxylic acid is selected from citric acid.

[0059] The addition of citric acid has the advantage that it acts as a complexing agent and can bind multivalent metal ions and prevent their redeposition.

[0060] According to a further preferred embodiment, the composition comprises dicarboxylic acids which are selected from - saturated dicarboxylic acids, such as adipic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid and / or malonic acid and / or

[0061] - unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid and / or citraconic acid.

[0062] The dicarboxylic acids are preferably selected from at least one saturated dicarboxylic acid and at least one unsaturated dicarboxylic acid. The saturated dicarboxylic acid is preferably selected from adipic acid; the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid is preferably selected from maleic acid.

[0063] It has further been shown that the solubility of the composition can be modified by the individual solubilities and proportions of the various acids in such a way that the composition dissolves sufficiently quickly, but not too quickly, depending on the respective requirement and can thus develop the most efficient effect possible.

[0064] If a composition is used as a descaler or rinse aid, it can be dosed using a conductivity probe. The conductivity can be advantageously modified, particularly by adjusting the maleic acid content.

[0065] According to a further preferred embodiment, a preferred composition or a preferred descaler or rinse aid comprises at least one surfactant. Such a surfactant preferably has a proportion of at least 0.05 wt.% and / or at most 5 wt.% in the preferred composition. The preferred addition of the surfactant advantageously lowers the surface tension of the composition, for example, in a descaling or rinse cycle, thereby enabling better wetting with the descaler or rinse aid.

[0066] For this purpose, non-ionic surfactants based on ethoxylated fatty alcohols can preferably be used in an amount of 0.05-10 wt.%, especially 0.1-5 wt.%, better 0.1-4 wt.%, most preferably approximately 0.1 wt.%. Examples include Dehypon E 124 (a product from Cognis), Plurafac SLF 180 and Plurafac LF 431, 300, 303, 401, 220, and 802 from BASF, and Ethylan 1003 from Nouryon.

[0067] The matrix of the composition may additionally contain a retarding agent or a dissolution or solubility accelerator, which delays or accelerates dissolution so that the composition or active ingredient product develops the best possible effect. The time delay can be conveniently controlled via the solubility of the active ingredients or can also be temperature-dependent such that a noticeable dissolution of the active ingredients of the composition only occurs at elevated temperature. According to a preferred embodiment, hydrophobic substances are used to delay the solubility of the composition. These can be mixed into the matrix or applied to the surface of the composition as a coating.

[0068] Examples of such hydrophobic substances are waxes or similarly acting slow-release agents. Substances with a slow-release effect include stearates, e.g., glycerol monostearate, also known under the trade name Cutina (from Cognis), or magnesium stearate and fatty acid alkanolamides, also known under the trade name Comperlan (Cognis). However, a slow-release effect can also be achieved with substances that form a gel during the dissolution process. These include, for example, carboxymethylcelluloses, gelatin, starch, or fumed silica.

[0069] If a composition, preferably a descaler or rinse aid, is combined with a cleaner, for example, a cleaning tablet, an adhesive can be used to releasably bond the composition and the cleaning tablet together. For example, polyethylene glycol can be used for this purpose. This can be introduced into a recess of a cleaning tablet during the manufacturing process, for example, in molten form, and distributed by pressing the composition, for example, in the form of a cleaning block, into a recess of a cleaner, such as a cleaning tablet.

[0070] As already explained above, a composition is preferably in the form of a block, more preferably in the form of a rinse aid block. This can preferably be located in a cartridge. When used in an appliance, the cartridge can preferably be inserted into the appliance in such a way that the agent can easily flow out or be rinsed out. For this purpose, the cartridge can be inserted into a commercial appliance, for example, with the opening facing downwards, slightly tilted horizontally or vertically, and the rinse aid can be rinsed out after a cleaning process depending on the automatic cleaning program. Individual packaging of each rinse aid block in a cartridge is particularly preferred, as this can prevent any danger to the user from ingredients. Cartridges in this form can preferably contain a rinse aid in an amount sufficient for more than one rinse cycle.The composition can also be modified by other, optionally functional, compartments or substances. For example, the composition can additionally contain sulfonated polystyrenes and sulfonated polystyrene-maleic acid copolymers, preferably with a molecular weight of 15,000–1,000,000 g / mol, in an amount of 0.1–5.0 wt.%. This polymer system prevents the deposition of calcium salts formed by water hardness by finely dispersing them and keeping them suspended during rinse water changes. Furthermore, an advantageous composition can contain (partially neutralized) polyacrylic acids, acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymers, and polycarboxylates.

[0071] In addition, for example, separate layers or areas can be provided, as long as they are stable in the (acidic) environment of the composition or are appropriately shielded against the (acidic) environment.

[0072] A framework recipe for the composition according to the invention, preferably in the form of a descaler or rinse aid block, can be composed, for example, as follows:

[0073] Dicarboxylic acid 1 10 - 90 %

[0074] Dicarboxylic acid 2 0 - 50 %

[0075] Tricarboxylic acid 0 - 90 %

[0076] Water 0.1 - 12%

[0077] Surfactant 0.05 - 0.5%

[0078] Preferably, a composition comprises the following components:

[0079] Unsaturated dicarboxylic acid

[0080] (e.g. fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid) 10 - 80%

[0081] Saturated dicarboxylic acid

[0082] (e.g. oxalic acid, adipic acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid, malic acid) 0 - 70%

[0083] Saturated tricarboxylic acid (citric acid) 0 - 90 %

[0084] Water 0.1 - 8%

[0085] Surfactant 0.05 - 0.5%

[0086] A composition preferably includes the following components:

[0087] Unsaturated dicarboxylic acid

[0088] (e.g. fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid) 20 - 80 % saturated dicarboxylic acid

[0089] (e.g. oxalic acid, adipic acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid, malic acid) 5 - 30%

[0090] Saturated tricarboxylic acid (citric acid) 0 - 90 %

[0091] Water 0.1 - 8%

[0092] Surfactant 0.05 - 0.5%

[0093] In particular, a composition comprises the following components:

[0094] Unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (maleic acid) 20 - 75 %

[0095] Saturated dicarboxylic acid (adipic acid) 5 - 15%

[0096] Saturated tricarboxylic acid (citric acid) 20 - 75 %

[0097] Water 0.1 - 5%

[0098] Surfactant 0.05 - 0.5%

[0099] Advantageously, the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid is selected from maleic acid, which is formed in particular from an anhydride.

[0100] In addition, the composition may comprise excipients which ideally together do not constitute more than 20% by weight of the composition.

[0101] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the claims. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of the described exemplary embodiments, but is determined by the scope of the appended claims. In particular, the individual features in embodiments of the invention can be implemented in different combinations than in the examples listed below.

[0102] Examples

[0103] Preparation of inventive compositions:

[0104] The raw mixtures (see Table 1) and compositions (see Table 2) listed in Tables 1 and 2 (see below) were prepared according to the recipes (A to R). The data in the inventive examples (in weight percent) refer to the total amount of the raw material mixture or the prepared compositions. In the present case, rinse aid blocks were produced. However, the compositions can of course also be used in suitable form for other rinse aid or descaling processes in commercial and industrial plants.

[0105] As already described, the use of acids—in this case, organic acids, preferably dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic acids—is conceivable in almost any concentration. As explained above, additional acids can also be added.

[0106] Table 1: Examples of raw mixtures according to the invention according to raw material use in wt.%.

[0107] Table 2: Examples of compositions according to the invention. The components are given in wt. %. To prepare the compositions according to the invention, the acid(s) were initially introduced and heated with stirring in a heated mixing vessel equipped with a stirrer (in this case, an AMT conical mixer-dryer reactor from Amixon). During the heating process, the water was sprayed in with stirring. After reaching the target temperature (depending on the recipe, between 80°C and 135°C, preferably between 90°C and 120°C), the surfactant was sprayed in, the mixture was homogenized, and filled into a cartridge at a temperature of > 80°C, in this case > 95°C.

[0108] The consistency of the block-shaped compositions was initially assessed. This revealed that the compositions could not be significantly indented by finger or deformed by hand, even at elevated temperatures of 80 °C.

[0109] The block-shaped compositions (in this case, rinse aid) filled into cartridges were tested in a commercial dishwasher with an automatic cleaning program. The rinse aid cartridges were mounted in a special holder at an angle of 15° (with the opening facing downwards) in the commercial dishwasher.

[0110] The following method, which is also commonly used to determine the dissolution time of tablets, was used to determine the dissolution rate: A cube with an edge length of 1 cm was placed on a perforated plate (hole diameter = 1.8 mm, hole spacing = 2.4 mm) and immersed in a beaker containing 1 l of tap water at 20 °C. At some point, the cube disintegrates within a few seconds, and the material of the cube (i.e., the compound) falls through the perforated plate. The time at which the cube has essentially completely disintegrated and the compound has fallen from the perforated plate was determined. The time determined was standardized to the previously determined weight.

[0111] The rinse aid efficiency (rinsing and descaling) of the rinse aid systems according to the invention according to the above-mentioned compositions was evaluated in comparison to conventional rinse aids (in the present case in comparison to a rinse aid tablet Miele GP DC CX 0061 T (column X, Table 3) from the prior art): Table 3: Physicochemical parameters of exemplary compositions according to the invention (in the form of rinse aid cartridges from Table 1) in comparison to a conventional rinse aid (X).

[0112] The results clearly show that the efficiency of the rinse aid system according to the invention is significantly improved compared to the conventional rinse aid Miele GP DC CX0061 T.

[0113] Assessment of stability compared to state-of-the-art rinse aids:

[0114] The compositions according to the invention (in the form of rinse aid cartridges) were stored at 80°C with the opening slightly tilted downward (angle of inclination approximately 15°), and any possible leakage of liquid or liquefaction of the contents was observed. Lainox Solid Cal was used as a reference product. During storage for more than one week, only negligible amounts of liquid (< 20 ml of a total of 560 ml) were allowed to leak out.

[0115] It has been shown that the compositions according to the invention exhibit a temperature stability of at least 80 °C. The competitor product Lainox Solid Cal, in contrast, was only stable up to approximately 50 °C.

[0116] Since the rinse aid systems described in detail above are exemplary embodiments, they can usually be modified to a wide extent by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, specific embodiments of the rinse aid systems can exist in forms other than those described here. Likewise, the recipes of the rinse aid systems can be modified by those skilled in the art in the sense of the specific exemplary embodiments described above. The skilled person also knows how to adapt the individual weight proportions to the corresponding requirements within the framework of the inventive solution to the problem. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the features in question can also be present multiple times.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for preparing a composition comprising the steps (i) providing a raw mixture comprising at least one acid, wherein at least a portion of the acid is selected from an anhydride and wherein the at least one acid is preferably selected from organic acids, (ii) optional addition of further additives, preferably selected from surfactants and / or further acids and / or auxiliaries, (iii) optionally heating the raw mixture to a predetermined minimum temperature, (iv) adding water to form a mixture, (v) optional addition of further additives, (vi) Cool the mixture to room temperature.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the addition of one or more additives takes place during the cooling according to step (vi).

3. The process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a proportion of water of up to 20 wt.%, preferably of up to 15 wt.%, particularly preferably of up to 12 wt.%, and / or wherein a proportion of water of preferably at least 3.5 wt.% is added.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixture is filled into a container, preferably a cartridge, before cooling.

5. Raw mixture for a process according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising - at least one acid, wherein the at least one acid is preferably selected from organic acids, wherein at least part of the acid is selected from an anhydride, - optionally further additives, preferably selected from surfactants and / or further acids and / or auxiliaries, wherein the acids are preferably selected from dicarboxylic acids and / or tricarboxylic acids.

6. Raw mixture according to claim 5, comprising at least two or at least three organic acids, wherein at least two organic acids are selected from dicarboxylic acids and / or a further organic acid is preferably selected from a tricarboxylic acid, preferably from a saturated tricarboxylic acid.

7. Raw mixture according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the dicarboxylic acid(s) are selected from - saturated dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid and / or malonic acid and / or - unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid and / or citraconic acid.

8. Raw mixture according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the dicarboxylic acid, in particular the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, is selected from an anhydride.

9. Composition comprising, - at least one acid, - a water content, preferably a water content of up to 10% by weight, in particular up to 2% by weight, and / or at least 0.1% by weight - optional additives, preferably selected from a surfactant and / or other acids and / or auxiliaries.

10. Composition according to claim 9, wherein the content of the at least one acid is preferably more than 88% by weight, preferably more than 95% by weight, particularly preferably more than 96% by weight, in particular more than 97% by weight, particularly preferably more than 98% by weight, and wherein the content of the at least one acid is at most 99.5% by weight, preferably at most 99% by weight.

11. Composition according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the composition in an at least 1% aqueous solution has a pH of less than 4, preferably less than 3, particularly preferably less than 2.5, in particular less than 2 and at least 1.

5.

12. Composition according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the composition is block-shaped and / or is preferably filled into a container, preferably in a cartridge.

13. Composition according to any one of claims 9 to 12, - wherein the saturated dicarboxylic acid is selected from adipic acid, - wherein the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid is selected from maleic acid, and - wherein the optional tricarboxylic acid is selected from citric acid.

14. An active ingredient product, preferably a cartridge, containing a composition according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 9 to 13 or of an active ingredient product according to claim 14, preferably a sanitary cleaner, rinse aid or descaler, for cleaning, rinsing and descaling dishes, hot water-carrying objects, machines and (industrial) installations or objects, machines and (industrial) installations in which water is heated or which heat water, preferably hot water systems, such as heating elements, hot water boilers, (fully) automatic coffee machines, kettles, dishwashers, commercial cooking and baking appliances, such as convection ovens and large cooking containers, and washing machines.

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