EP3033410A1

EP3033410A1 - Multiphase cleaning tablet

Info

Publication number: EP3033410A1
Application number: EP14747007.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Meinrad Budich
Original assignee: Budich International GmbH
Current assignee: Budich International GmbH
Priority date: 2013-08-14
Filing date: 2014-07-31
Publication date: 2016-06-22
Also published as: EP3033411A1; US20160186107A1; WO2015022196A1; EP3033411B1; US10053656B2; DE102014110847A1; WO2015022195A1; US20160194585A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a multiphase cleaning tablet (1) comprising a first cleaner phase with at least one component which is not suitable for touching, in particular an irritating, corrosive, toxic, or hygroscopic component, and comprising a second cleaner phase for covering the first cleaner phase. The second cleaner phase contains substantially no components which are not suitable for touching, in particular no corrosive, toxic, or hygroscopic components, optionally no irritating components either, and the cleaning tablet is designed as a tablet made of at least three layers arranged one over the other with a first layer (10) of the second cleaner phase, a second central layer (12) of the first cleaner phase, and a third layer (14) of the second cleaner phase. At least one part of a region of the first cleaner phase which is not suitable for touching, said region not being covered by a layer of the second cleaner phase, is provided with a water-soluble protective film. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a multiphase cleaning tablet (1) and to the use thereof for cleaning kitchen devices, in particular of the commercial kitchen field.

Description

Multi-phase cleaning tablet

The present invention relates to a multi-phase cleaning tablet, a manufacturing method for a multi-phase cleaning tablet and a use of this multi-phase cleaning tablet for cleaning kitchen appliances, especially in the commercial kitchen area.

On the market a variety of detergents for heavily soiled surfaces and cooking appliances are known based on different active substances. Frequently, these active substances are corrosive, irritating or toxic, so that they should be handled only under appropriate safety precautions. Thus, for example, highly alkaline cleaning tablets (see, for example, DE Application 10 2013 100 195.5), which are generally designed for commercial applications, are given the marking "corrosive" and, according to safety instructions, should only be handled with gloves.

Experiments with water-soluble protective films, for example made of polyvinyl alcohol, have a relatively short life due to the high alkalinity, since the films harden after a short storage period, often after only a few weeks, become brittle and lose their water-soluble properties.

Since it is not ensured that always all users adhere to the safety instructions of the handling instructions, it is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning tablet, which allows reliable use or safe handling. Another object is to specify a manufacturing method for such cleaning tablets. The objects described here and further are achieved on the one hand by a multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 1, a manufacturing method for such a multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 9 and on the other hand by a use of the multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 14. Such a multiphase cleaning tablet according to the invention comprises a first cleaning phase with at least one contact-unsuitable, in particular irritating, caustic, toxic and / or hygroscopic, component and a second cleaning phase to cover the first detergent phase, wherein the second detergent phase contains substantially no contact-inappropriate, in particular no caustic, toxic or hygroscopic, optionally also no irritating, components. Contact inadequate components are in the context of the invention, such ingredients that either should not come into contact with the skin because they are either hazardous or highly irritating, such as the aforementioned toxic, corrosive or irritating compounds, or in contact with the skin or the Environment change chemically or physically, such. For example, the above-mentioned hygroscopic connections. In other words, contact-inappropriate components are those compounds that should come into contact with the skin or the environment as little as possible or not at all.

Toxic means substances or mixtures that are toxic or harmful to humans when inhaled, when in contact with the skin or when ingested.

Corrosive means substances or mixtures that can cause burns. First and foremost, this means burns to the human skin or mucous membranes. Highly irritating are substances or mixtures that can cause serious eye damage. Both are usually already given at pH values less than 2 or greater than 1 1.

By irritant is meant substances or mixtures that irritate the eyes, the respiratory system or the skin. This is usually already given at pH values less than 4 or greater than 10. Under weakly irritant one understands compounds or substances, which can lead to at best to small skin irritations and z. B have a pH of 8 to 10 or 4 to 5. Hygroscopic compounds are compounds which, when in contact with water or moisture, e.g. B. humidity, absorb the water to a high degree and even partially build in their crystal lattice or form hydrates. Highly hygroscopic compounds are compounds which, for example, absorb at least one third of their own weight of water and / or which are also used for drying air due to their hygroscopicity, such as, for example, common salt (sodium chloride), calcium chloride, silica gel, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, methylglycine diacetic acid, Soda, phosphate, metasilicate and many acids, however, also behave hygroscopically.

On the other hand, contact-suitable components are those compounds and substances which, on contact with the skin or the environment, cause little to no damage or hardly or not at all change. Basically, this may include light irritant compounds that cause no permanent damage or only slight irritation of the skin. The fact that the second detergent phase contains "essentially" no components unsuitable for contact is therefore to be understood as meaning that the components are preferably not present in the detergent phase at all or at most only in such quantities that these conditions are fulfilled with respect to contact with the detergent phase.

Polyphase in the context of the invention is a cleaning tablet with three or more layers or layers, which are arranged one above the other to give a cleaning tablet layer-like structure of the first and second detergent phases and optionally further detergent phases. Such horizontal layer structures are often referred to as sandwich structures. According to the invention, the cleaning tablet has at least three layers arranged one above the other, with a first layer of the second detergent phase, a second, middle layer of the first detergent phase and a third layer of the second detergent phase. In this case, the first layer and the third layer may comprise a similar or identically composed second detergent phase or may fundamentally contain different components, as long as they fall within the definition that they comprise essentially exclusively or predominantly contact-suitable or substantially no contact-unsuitable component. Thus, for example, a preferred embodiment comprises a three-layer cleaning tablet having a first layer of a second detergent phase, a second, middle layer of a first detergent phase and a third layer of a second detergent phase having a different composition to the second detergent phase of the first layer. The compositions of the two outer layers can have both chemical and physical differences. Such a layered construction advantageously makes it possible to cover the first detergent phase from two sides, which are preferably selected such that the two largest sides are covered by the second detergent phase. Thus, only on the edge surfaces of such a layered cleaning tablet remains an incompletely covered first detergent phase with the non-contact, ie in particular the irritating, corrosive, or toxic, components. These are not rejected externally. covered first cleaning phase, z. B. on the edges of a cleaning tablet, although the surface area relative to the covered area shares quite low, but to reduce the contact area even further, in a cleaning tablet according to the invention at least a portion of a range of kontaktungeeigneten first cleaner nigerphase, which is not by a Layer is covered from the second detergent phase, provided with a water-soluble, preferably fast water-soluble, protective film. As a result, the safety in handling can be further increased, but nevertheless a fast resolution of the middle layer is ensured. By, for example, color design of the second cleaning phase, the user can be made aware of the layers of the second cleaning phase, which contains no corrosive or toxic and preferably also no irritating components. By a different color design, for example, a warning color, the first cleaning phase, with which any contact is to be avoided, can be signaled.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a manufacturing method for such a cleaning tablet is provided which comprises the step of producing an at least three-layered cleaning tablet having a first detergent phase with at least one irritating, caustic or toxic component and a second detergent phase in the form of a cover comprises first cleaner phase on at least two opposite sides of the first cleaner phase. According to the invention, at least a part of a region of the contact-unsuitable first cleaning phase, which is not covered by a layer of the second cleaning phase, is provided with a water-soluble protective film.

By means of this covering step, it is advantageously possible to provide a cleaning tablet in which the two outer layers are formed from the second cleaning phase. These can also be handled without excessive safety regulations, for example without gloves, since they contain no corrosive or toxic and optionally also no irritating components. The user does not get in contact with the corrosive or toxic or irritating components of the central first cleaning phase in the usual application of these cleaning tablets. This advantageous distribution of the respective constituents into the different compartments of a multiphase cleaning tablet according to the invention offers a simple and cost-effective provision of a cleaning tablet for safe handling. The tableting processes used in this process are fundamentally familiar to the person skilled in the art. also known.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of this cleaning tablet according to the invention for cleaning kitchen appliances, in particular from the commercial kitchen area, such. As commercial dishwashers, ovens, grills, convection, large cooking vessels, degreasing. As a result of the improved handling, an increased safety of the user compared with the conventional cleaning tablets, which frequently contain strongly alkaline, ie corrosive or even irritating cleaner components, in particular also in the outer layers because of their good solubility, can be achieved.

Further preferred embodiments and further developments of the cleaning tablet according to the invention and the production method according to the invention and the use of such a cleaning tablet are also evident from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments and the examples given. In this case, the production method or the use can also be designed in accordance with the dependent claims of the cleaning tablet according to the invention or of the production method. In a further advantageous embodiment, the cleaning tablet according to the invention has a cylindrical or cuboidal shape. Cylindrical or cuboid tablets generally have a lower height than width, so that the edges or the lateral surface are preferably smaller than the two opposite base surfaces. Because of these basic forms of cleaning tablets, it is advantageous to take the bases as those areas covered by the second cleaning phase. This achieves a predominant coverage of the first cleaning phase by the second cleaning phase, so that the handling can be improved.

As explained above, at least part of a region of the first detergent phase, which is not covered by a layer of the second detergent phase, is provided with a water-soluble protective film. Such areas of the first cleaning phase, which are not covered by a layer of the second detergent phase, are due to the sandwich structure in particular at the peripheral edges of the cleaning tablet, ie the transversely to the layering the tablet bounding surfaces. The water-soluble protective film preferably consists of a cooled or hardened liquid coating composition, which is stable with respect to the first and second cleaning phase and is in the Application quite quickly, ie at the beginning of the cleaning process, dissolves. The additional covering of the edges or the lateral surface of the cleaning tablet allows additional protection against accidental contact of the first cleaning phase with the corrosive, toxic or irritating components in the handling of the cleaning tablet, but hampers the dissolution process of the first and second detergent phase in the application hardly or not at all. Water-soluble substances which can preferably be applied in liquid form (for example as a solution or melt) and then form a water-soluble protective film are suitable for the coating composition. Preferred examples of these are sugar compounds, polyethylene glycols and solid or meltable surfactants or polymers.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first cleaning phase comprises an alkali system of one or more components selected from sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or caustic soda and metasilicate. These components impart high alkalinity to the first cleaner phase and are classified as highly irritating or corrosive components subject to the labeling requirement. An alkaline detergent phase in the context of the invention is a phase which, when dissolved in water (in a 1% strength solution), preferably sets an alkaline pH of greater than 10, particularly preferably greater than 12. In this case, one or a combination of several of these alkaline components or in combination with additional alkaline agents can be used in the alkaline cleaning tablet in order to suitably adjust the alkalinity (also called "basicity") for the solution of fats and proteins from soiled surfaces Adjustment of the pH is often sufficient, and detergents on an alkaline basis may have a cleaning action based on complex-forming groups or surface-active groups, as long as they can develop their action in an alkaline medium (pH greater than 10) Additional detergent component may be combined in one substance, but may also be separate substances as long as they are included together in the first detergent phase.

The cleaning tablet according to the invention contains a total of alkaline cleaner components preferably in a total amount of about 20 to 80 wt .-%, more preferably in a proportion of about 40 to 70 wt .-%. Based on the first detergent phase in which the strongly alkaline components are concentrated, the alkaline detergent components can account for up to 100% by weight. As exemplary toxic, corrosive or irritating components for the first detergent phase, which can be used instead of or in addition to the alkaline component (caustic soda, metasilicate, soda), the following classes of compounds or compounds can be cited: sulfamic acid, di-carboxylic acids, maleic acid, fatty acid - Ren (especially shorter-chain C 8 to C10), biocides (eg quaternary ammonium compounds). Their proportions are in the above areas or the expert knows in which concentrations the respective substances are used appropriately. The acids are used, for example, in concentration ranges similar to the alkaline components in products for decalcification. It is also known to the person skilled in the art that, for a desired disinfecting effect, biocides are rather used in lower concentrations of less than 10%, preferably less than 5%.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the second cleaning phase of the cleaning tablet according to the invention comprises a weak alkali system which contains, for example, soda and / or di-silicates, but is at most irritating in the composition (ie in a 1% solution, for example, a pH of 10 to 1) 1) and preferably only has a pH (in a 1% solution) in the weakly alkaline range (about pH 8 to 10). These non-irritating or less irritating alkaline components are suitable for use in the second detergent phase as they can be handled without much safety precautions.

The second detergent phase preferably contains the alkaline detergent components in a total amount of not more than about 40% by weight, more preferably in a proportion of about 10 to 30% by weight, with respect to the second detergent phase.

These alkaline components are preferably admixed to the first or the second detergent phase of the tablet matrix, wherein the invention also applies to the tablets when they are completely or partially converted into more stable products, for example hydrates or oxides, etc., during tableting. as long as this conversion is reversible again when using the cleaning tablet in water, so that the desired alkalinity (also called "basicity") is provided The tablet matrix can also be composed of the alkaline component itself For the solution of fats and proteins from soiled surfaces If adjustment of the pH is frequently sufficient, cleaning agents based on alkaline substances also have a cleaning action based on complex-forming groups or surface-active groups. can show. Protein-denaturing alkaline substances can also be used as cleaner components, as long as they can develop their activity in an alkaline environment. In a further embodiment, the first and / or the second cleaning phase may comprise at least one additional cleaning agent. These substances can be, for example, complexing agents whose additional cleaning action is based on the complexing property. But also surfactants can be mentioned as such additional cleaning agents. Exemplary compounds may be selected from the group consisting of ionic or nonionic surfactants or complexing agents, especially phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polymers, layered silicates, N-methylglycinediacetic acid, polyepoxysuccinic acid and gluconates. All these detergents are expediently as little foam-forming as possible in order to avoid excessive foam formation from the outset. Preferred surfactants are fatty alcohol ethoxylates, in particular end-capped Plurafac types (BASF), glucosides (Akzo) or fatty amines. Although anionic surfactants are conceivable, they are less relevant because they are often highly foaming. Alkali-stable phosphonates are z. For example, salts of the nitrilotrismethylene phosphonic acid of the sequion types (polygon) or cublene types (Zschimmer & Schwarz). The polymers used are preferably polycarboxylates (BASF).

Complexing agents are preferably used in an amount of not more than 10 to 40% by weight, more preferably in a proportion of about 15 to 25% by weight, of the cleaning tablet. Surfactants are preferably used in an amount of about 0.2 to 20 wt .-%, more preferably in an amount of about 0.5 to 5 wt .-%, of the cleaning tablet. The amounts are based on the entire cleaning tablet as well as on the first or second cleaning phase.

The first and / or the second detergent phase may according to a further advantageous embodiment have a tablet matrix with conventional matrix components. For this purpose you may additionally comprise one or more builders (for example water-soluble sulfates such as sodium sulfate) and / or auxiliaries, in particular, for example, binders, tableting excipients, disintegrants, dissolution inhibitors, retarding agents or lubricants. The builders are preferably used in an amount of not more than 20 wt .-%, more preferably in a proportion of not more than 10 wt .-%, of the cleaning tablet. The auxiliaries are preferably used in an amount of not more than 20% by weight, more preferably in a proportion of about 3 to 10% by weight, of the cleaning tablet. The quantities are based on the entire cleaning tablet as well as on the first and second cleaning phase.

Excipients for tablets fulfill a wide variety of tasks and are indicated accordingly in the literature. Basically, a distinction is made between the following categories of different excipients, because of their different functions. Binders or disperse additives include starches, celluloses, polyethylene glycol, calcium compounds, bentonites, polysaccharides, sugar compounds, proteins or synthetic polymers. Exemplary disintegrants include starches, (microcrystalline) celluloses, alginates, polysaccharides, proteins, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidine, polymethacrylate derivatives, or bentonites.

Exemplary dissolution retardants include waxes, ethylcelluloses, fats, polyvinylacetate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, gels or stearates.

Examples of suitable lubricants include fatty acid esters, talc, oils and fats or fatty acids or fumed silica.

Depending on the desired properties of the cleaning tablets, for example in terms of treatability and solubility, as well as to ensure the compressibility of a suitable combination of different auxiliaries or builders is used depending on the application.

In addition, other functional compartments or substances such as, for example, a descaling agent, a rinse aid, an ion exchange agent, a special cleaning agent for further contamination, etc. can also be integrated into the cleaning tablet. For example, you can use your own layers or areas. Preferably, an adhesive can be used, which connects the individual layers of the first and second detergent phase together. For example, polyethylene glycol can be used for this purpose. This is applied in the manufacturing process of the cleaning tablet according to the invention, for example in molten form on two opposite sides of the first detergent phase before subsequently formed from both sides by pressing prefabricated, solid second detergent phases three-layer cleaning tablets. Alternatively, the three-layer tablets, e.g. For example, with weights of about 10 to 100 g, which are customary for detergent tablets, in an angular or round shape, they are pressed onto a commercially available rotary tabletop machine in integrated form. In this variant, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be introduced as a powder into the tablet matrix.

The cleaning tablet of the present invention may preferably be packaged individually or in a defined number in a sealed film, a so-called flow pack (a bag in which the products are placed horizontally in the bag for packaging), so that they are accurate and easy on occasion can be dosed. A single package of each cleaning tablet is preferred, but not necessarily required by the above-described improved handleability, since user exposure to the highly alkaline ingredients in the middle layer has been significantly reduced by masking. Therefore, the cleaning tablets can also without additional packaging in a collective packaging, eg. B. without tubular bag loose or stacked in a sealed plastic container, be packed. In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning tablet comprises holes and / or depressions which penetrate one or more layers with the first and / or second detergent phase. The holes or depressions are configured in particular in the upper (or also in the lower) base area with the second detergent phase and either pass completely through the cleaning tablet or protrude at least as far as the middle layer, ie, into the first cleaning phase, in order to form the surface of the to increase the exposed first cleaning phase. Thereby, the dissolution rate of the layer with the first detergent phase, ie, the middle layer can be increased, although it is covered with detergent layers for ease of handling. Although these holes or recesses can not be touched internally due to their dimensions, you can optionally also use ie be covered on the inner surfaces or edges, with a water-soluble coating agent.

The manufacturing process for a multi-phase cleaning tablet, e.g. Example, for cleaning kitchen appliances, in particular from the commercial kitchen area, includes, inter alia, the step of producing a cleaning tablet at least three layers with a first detergent phase with at least one kontaktungeeigneten, in particular a lovely, caustic, toxic or hygroscopic component and a second detergent phase in the form a cover of the first detergent phase on at least two opposite sides of the first detergent phase, wherein the second detergent phase contains substantially no contact-inappropriate, in particular no caustic, toxic, or hygroscopic, optionally also no irritating, components.

The production method according to the second aspect of the invention can ensure improved handling of the cleaning tablets by means of simple method steps and commercially available production systems and machines. Placement of the toxic, corrosive or irritating components in the middle layer of an at least three-layered cleansing tablet makes it easy to handle the cleansing tablets.

In order to further improve the handling or safety during handling, in an additional step, a liquid coating composition is applied to at least part of the circumferential sides or edges of the previously prepared, multi-phase cleaning tablet which is not covered by the second detergent phase. carried. As a result, a water-soluble, non-hazardous protective film is formed on these edges or lateral surfaces. A coating only or exclusively on the peripheral sides or edges of the cleaning tablet in addition to the material savings has the advantage that the two outer cleaning phases are uncoated in a large area and therefore dissolve faster than a complete coating. After the preparation of the three-layer cleaning tablets, for example in commercial rotary tablet machines, the cleaning tablets can then pass on the conveyor belt at laterally placed nozzles or mechanical devices for applying a liquid coating composition.

Advantageously, in the step of applying the coating composition to the cleaning Tablet, the cleaning tablet continuously or discontinuously rotated about its own axis, while the coating composition applied to the edges of the cleaning tablet, particularly preferably sprayed, rolled and / or painted, is. Alternatively, the coating composition can be achieved on the respective edges by immersing the edges in a dipping bath with the liquid coating composition and turning or rolling the tablet edges therein. For this purpose, it is advantageous to supply the tablets to the dipping bath continuously or discontinuously via a conveyor belt running just above the dipping bath and to easily dip them into the coating for applying the coating mass to the edges.

For square tablets (cuboid), it is advantageous to rotate them after application on one side (or two opposite sides) in each case by 90 ° in order to provide all edges with the coating composition. It is preferred to provide a second, third or fourth device for applying the coating composition to the conveyor belt. In the case of cylindrical tablets, it is advantageous to rotate it during application of the coating composition about its axis of rotation, preferably by at least 360 °. The liquid or applied as a solution coating composition is then allowed to cool or harden. In order to accelerate the curing or cooling, it is advantageous if the manufacturing method additionally comprises the step of cooling the liquid coating composition (melt) by means of a cold air blower or the evaporation of the solvent by means of a cold or hot air blower for solidification of the coating composition. Subsequently, the finished tablets are packed, for example, in a tubular bag. However, as already indicated above, it is also possible to use other packaging variants due to the special division of the hazardous components in the multi-layer cleaning tablets. For example, it is preferable to store and sell the cleaning tablets loosely or stacked in a sealed plastic container without tubular bags.

To improve the dissolution rate of the middle layer containing the high proportion of highly alkaline, caustic, toxic, irritating or hygroscopic components, it may be appropriate to improve the attack surface of the water for the resolution of the middle layer by special solution accelerators or by constructive means. According to a particular embodiment, the surface of the middle layer can be increased by providing the outer layers of the cleaning tablet with one or more possibly continuous holes as mentioned above. For this reason, according to a preferred embodiment of the production method, an additional step can be carried out, namely the provision of holes or depressions which penetrate one or more layers with the first or second detergent phase. Thus, for example, one or more depressions which penetrate as far as possible into the tablet can be introduced into the cleaning tablet with a solid mandrel (for example in a compression mold). This ensures that the water can also penetrate into the tablet from the center of the tablet or from several places and thus dissolves it more quickly on shorter diffusion paths.

The cleaning tablet according to the invention can be used in particular for cleaning kitchen appliances, in particular from the commercial sector, which are usually cleaned with alkaline to highly alkaline detergents. Examples are z. As commercial dishwashers, ovens, grills, Konvek- tomatoes, large cooking containers, degreasing systems, and soiled surfaces from the commercial kitchen area, in particular such ovens, grills, Vektomaten, large cooking containers, degreasers with an integrated self-cleaning program. However, this does not preclude the use of the cleaning tablets for ordinary kitchen appliances from the private sector and for soiled items, pots, dishes, etc. which are cleaned more frequently or after each use. Chlorine-containing ingredients in cleaning tablets are also among the toxic or corrosive substances that can be used in the first cleaning phase. Such multiphase cleaning tablets are used, for example, as sanitary cleaners or toilet blocks. Another possible application of the multiphase cleaning tablet according to the invention results from the special layer structure of the three-layer tablets, for automatic metering devices. If the tablets are to be used in an automatic metering device in which the individual tablets can no longer be protected individually in a tubular bag (so-called flowpacks), they are directly on or against each other without being protected. The tablets are stacked in the metering device, usually the bottom tablet by a mechanical slide in the Device can be dosed. Since the outer layers contain no highly alkaline ingredients, which are usually highly hygroscopic, they can not stick together due to the influence of humidity. This ensures safe single dosing. In that regard, the term "contact-unsuitable" may also be understood to mean that the relevant component of the first cleaning phase is not suitable for contact with further adjacent tablets because undesired effects may occur, such as the sticking together of two tablets, especially in the case of strongly hygroscopic components However, due to the special construction, it is not impaired, since the highly alkaline ingredients are present in the middle layer and can quickly take effect after dissolving the cleaning tablet.

For this reason, it may be preferred that not only the outer two layers of the cleaning tablet dissolve rapidly in water, but also that the dissolution rate of the middle layer containing the high proportion of highly alkaline, caustic, toxic or irritating components is high. Since the attack surface of the water for the dissolution of the middle layer is relatively small due to the special structure of the multiphase cleaning tablet, it is advantageous to improve the dissolution rate of the middle layer either by special solution accelerators or by constructive means.

According to a particular embodiment, namely for the case that the middle layer of the cleaning tablet is to dissolve sufficiently quickly in water, as mentioned above, the enclosed surface of the middle layer by one or more continuous holes as possible in the first cleaning phase and / or the second detergent phase can be increased. For this reason, according to a simple embodiment, one or more indentations which penetrate as far as possible are introduced into the tablet with a fixed mandrel or, preferably, a displaceably mounted mandrel. This ensures that the water can also penetrate into the tablet from the center of the tablet or from several places and thus dissolves it more quickly on shorter diffusion paths.

The principle of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings by way of example. In the drawings show: Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of an inventive square cleaning tablet.

2 shows a perspective side view of a second embodiment of a round cleaning tablet according to the invention

3 shows a perspective side view of a third embodiment of an angular cleaning tablet according to the invention. 4 shows a perspective side view of a fourth embodiment of a round cleaning tablet according to the invention

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an apparatus for applying a coating material to a cleaning tablet according to the invention according to the first embodiment.

1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cleaning tablet according to the invention is shown, which has a cuboidal basic structure.

The cleaning tablet 1 consists of a first layer 10 of a second detergent phase, a second layer 12 of a first detergent phase and a third detergent layer 14, which in turn consists of the second detergent phase.

The cleaning tablet 1 has a cuboidal basic shape, wherein the two large base areas of the first cleaning phase are covered with the layers of the second cleaning phase. As a result, the first cleaning phase with the contact-unsuitable, ie corrosive, toxic, irritating or hygroscopic, substances is exposed only at the edge surfaces 20, so that the cleaning tablet on the pages of the second detergent phase can be handled well despite the exposed at the edges of substances. FIG. 2 shows a cleaning tablet 1 according to a second embodiment, which is constructed analogously to the cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 1, but has a round basic shape, more precisely a cylindrical basic structure. The layered structure is identical to the cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 1 except for the shape. FIG. 3 shows a cleaning tablet 1 according to a third embodiment, which is constructed analogously to the cuboid cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 1, but has holes or recesses 30 in the upper (or lower) base area. The holes either pass completely through the cleaning tablet or extend at least as far as the middle layer, ie, into the first cleaning phase, in order to enlarge the surface of the exposed first cleaning phase and thus to increase the dissolution rate.

FIG. 4 shows a cleaning tablet 1 according to a fourth embodiment, which is constructed analogously to the cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 3, but has a round basic shape, more precisely a cylindrical basic structure. The layered structure is identical to the cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 3 except for the shape.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a conveyor belt 50 on which cleaning tablets 1 are transported in the direction of the arrow. In stage I, the two edges 20 are provided with a coating of a respective side of the conveyor belt arranged spray 41. In stage II, the cleaning tablet 1 is rotated by 90 °. Subsequently, the two other edges 22 are sprayed with the spray 42, so that forms a water-soluble coating on all four edges.

Since the preceding detergent tablets described in detail are exemplary embodiments, they can be modified in a customary manner by a person skilled in the art to a large extent, without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, concrete embodiments of the cleaning tablets can be present in other forms and for other fields of application than those described here. Likewise, the formulations of the cleaning tablets can be modified by those skilled in the sense of the specific embodiments described above. In particular, it should be emphasized once again that the upper and lower layers of a three-layer cleaning tablet may have different compositions, i. Both outer layers, each with a second detergent phase, can be constructed differently chemically, as long as they both essentially contain no components which are unsuitable for contact, or are constructed essentially only of contact-suitable components. The person skilled in the art also knows how to adapt the individual weight fractions to the corresponding requirements within the scope of the solution according to the invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "on" or "one" does not exclude that the characteristics in question may also be present multiple times.

Claims

claims

1 . Multi-phase cleaning tablet (1) comprising

a first cleaning phase with at least one contact-unsuitable, in particular irritant, caustic, toxic or hygroscopic component and

a second detergent phase for covering the first detergent phase, wherein the second detergent phase contains substantially no contact-inappropriate, in particular no caustic, toxic, or hygroscopic, optionally also no irritating, components,

wherein the cleaning tablet has at least three layers arranged one above the other, with a first layer (10) of the second detergent phase, a second, middle layer (12) of the first detergent phase and a third layer (14) of the second detergent phase, wherein at least one part a region of the contact-unsuitable first cleaner phase, which is not covered by a layer of the second detergent phase, is provided with a water-soluble protective film.

2. A multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning tablet has a cylindrical or cuboid shape.

3. Multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the peripheral edges (20, 21, 22) of the cleaning tablet, preferably only the peripheral edges (20, 21, 22) of the cleaning tablet, are provided with a water-soluble protective film.

4. A multi-phase cleaning tablet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first cleaning phase comprises an alkali system of one or more components selected from sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and sodium metasilicate.

5. A multi-phase cleaning tablet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second cleaning phase comprises an alkali system of one or more components selected from soda or di-silicates.

6. The multiphase cleaning tablet according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional cleaning agent selected from the group consisting of ionic or nonionic surfactants or complexing agents, in particular phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polyme- phyllosilicates, Na-methylglycinediacetic acid, polyepoxysuccinic acid and gluconates.

7. Multiphase cleaning tablet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or the second Reingerphase additionally comprise one or more builders and / or auxiliaries, in particular binders, tabletting excipients, disintegrants, dissolution inhibitors, retardants or lubricants.

8. A multi-phase cleaning tablet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning tablet holes (30) and / or depressions, the one or more

Includes layers with the first and / or second cleaner phase.

9. A manufacturing method for a multi-phase cleaning tablet (1) comprising the step of preparing a cleaning tablet having a first detergent phase with at least one contact-inappropriate, especially irritating, caustic, toxic or hygroscopic component and a second detergent phase in the form of a cover of the first detergent phase at least two opposite sides of the first cleaning phase, wherein the second cleaning phase substantially contains no contact-unsuitable, in particular no caustic, toxic, or hygroscopic, optionally also no irritating, components

wherein the cleaning tablet has at least three layers arranged one above the other, with a first layer (10) of the second detergent phase, a second, middle layer (12) of the first detergent phase and a third layer (14) of the second detergent phase, and wherein at least one Part of a range of contact unsuitable first cleaning phase, which is not covered by a layer of the second detergent phase, is provided with a water-soluble protective film.

The manufacturing method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of applying a liquid coating compound to at least one side or edge (20, 21, 22) of the multi-phase cleaning tablet not covered with the second detergent phase, preferably only on the peripheral edges (20 , 21, 22) of the cleaning tablet to form a water-soluble protective film.

1 1. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein in the step of applying the coating composition, the cleaning tablet is rotated continuously or discontinuously about its own axis, thereby coating the coating on the edges of the cleaning rod. is applied.

12. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, further comprising the step of cooling the liquid coating composition by means of a cold air blower or evaporating the solvent by means of a cold or hot air blower to solidify the coating composition.

13. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising the step of providing holes (30) and / or recesses which penetrate one or more layers having the first and second detergent phases, respectively.

14. Use of a multi-phase cleaning tablet according to one of claims 1 to 8 for cleaning kitchen appliances, in particular from the commercial kitchen area.