Device and method for improving the rinse effect of dishwashers

Abstract

Described herein are devices for improving the rinse effect in machine dishwashers. In one embodiment, the device comprises a means of fixing an amount of liquor comprising rinse surfactant of the main wash cycle, wherein the amount of liquor is sufficient to bring about a rinse effect, whereby the liquor is transported into a subsequent rinse cycle. Also described are methods and kits for achieving a rinse effect in dishwashers.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A device for improving the rinse effect in machine dishwashers, comprising a means of fixing an amount of liquor comprising rinse surfactant of the main wash cycle, wherein the amount of liquor is sufficient to bring about a rinse effect, whereby the liquor is transported into a subsequent rinse cycle.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means of fixing an amount of liquor comprises a porous body.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the porous body comprises natural sponge, polyethylene, polypropylene, solid open-pore foam, sinter body or a suitable combination thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the device comprises a honeycomb body.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the sinter body comprises porous ceramic or sintered metal.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the solid open-pore foam is polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the pore diameter of the porous body is from about 0.001 mm to about 1 mm.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the pore diameter of the porous body is from about 0.005 mm to about 0.5 mm.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the pore diameter of the porous body is from about 0.01 mm to about 0.3 mm.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the pore diameter of the porous body is from about 0.01 mm to about 0.1 mm.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the volume of the porous body is from about 10 ml to about 750 ml.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the volume of the porous body is from about 50 ml to about 500 ml.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the volume of the porous body is from about 75 ml to about 400 ml.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the volume of the porous body is from about 100 ml to about 250 ml.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the porous body delimits a cavity in which filtered liquor can collect.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the porous body is disposed in a plastic casing.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the plastic casing is dishwasher-resistant.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the plastic casing comprises polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS).  
     
     
         19 . A device for improving the rinse effect in machine dishwashers, wherein the device comprises a porous body comprising: natural sponge, polyethylene, polypropylene, solid open-pore foam, sinter body or a suitable combination thereof.  
     
     
         20 . A method for achieving a rinse effect in dishwashers, comprising the steps of: 
 a) introducing a cleaning agent into a machine dishwasher, wherein the cleaning agent comprises rinse surfactant, and wherein the machine dishwasher is designed to proceed through cycles comprising at least one main wash cycle and at least one rinse cycle;    b) releasing the agent during at least one cycle;    c) providing the device of  claim 1  in the dishwasher; and    d) allowing the cycle to proceed.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the agent is released during the main wash cycle.  
     
     
         22 . A rinse improvement kit comprising the device of  claim 1  and a cleaning agent comprising rinse surfactant.