Dishwashing method

Abstract

A method of washing dishware/tableware in an automatic dishwashing machine, the method comprising simultaneously or sequentially delivering quantities of a particulate or densified particulate automatic dishwashing product and of an anhydrous liquid, gel or paste form dishwashing detergent auxiliary contained in separate compartments of a multi-compartment pouch into the same or different cycles of the dishwashing machine. The method provides improved cleaning performance and product stability.

1 . A method of washing dishware/tableware in an automatic dishwashing machine, said method comprising the steps of contacting said dishware/tableware and simultaneously or sequentially delivering quantities of a particulate or densified particulate automatic dishwashing product and of an anhydrous liquid, gel or paste form of a dishwashing detergent auxiliary contained in separate compartments of a multi-compartment pouch into the same or different cycles of the dishwashing machine.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said particulate dishwashing product is densified by a method selected from the group consisting of tamping, compression, the application of inertial force, compaction, and combinations thereof  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said particulate dishwashing product is in the form of a tablet.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said particulate dishwashing product comprises one or more moisture-sensitive detergent actives and wherein said detergent auxiliary comprises a humectant in levels sufficient to act as a moisture sink for stabilizing the moisture-sensitive detergent active.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein said humectant is a non-aqueous hydrophilic organic solvent selected from the group consisting of glycols, polyhydric alcohols, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein said moisture-sensitive detergent active is a detergency bleach.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said anhydrous detergent auxiliary comprises a detergency enzyme.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said anhydrous detergent auxiliary comprises an organic solvent system effective in removing cooked-, baked- and burnt-on soils.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said organic solvent system is selected from the group consisting of alcohols, amines, esters, glycol ethers, glycols, terpenes, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said organic solvent system is selected from the group consisting of organoamine solvents, alcoholic solvents, glycols, glycol derivatives, and mixtures thereof; wherein said organoamine solvents are selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, alkylamines, alkyleneamines, and mixtures thereof; wherein said alcoholic solvents are selected from the group consisting of aromatic alcohols, aliphatic alcohols, cycloaliphatic alcohols, and mixtures thereof; and wherein said glycols and glycol derivatives are selected from the group consisting of C 2 -C 3  (poly)alkylene glycols, glycol ethers, glycol esters, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said organic solvent comprises organoamine solvent and glycol ether solvent in a weight ratio of from about 3:1 to about 1:3.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said glycol ether solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol phenyl ether, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the detergent auxiliary is in the form of a paste having a density greater than about 1100 Kg/m 3 .  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the pouch is water soluble.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the compartments of the multi-compartment pouch have different rates of solubility in water under given temperature conditions.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the anhydrous detergent auxiliary composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant.