Abstract: A device for holding a stick or rod of spreadable material includes a sleeve or container open on one side, an element co-acting with the stick, and a hand-operated means for varying the distance between the edge of the open side of the sleeve and the stick element. The stick or rod of spreadable material can be an adhesive stick or a wax stick. The stick of spreadable material is packaged separately from the device in an envelope of thin material, and the container includes means for securely holding an envelope of thin material suitable for packaging the stick.

Abstract: A process for the production of solid, pourable, washing or cleaning agents containing surface-active compounds, builders, and calcium binding compounds, said calcium binding compounds consisting of at least one finely-dispersed water-insoluble silicate compound containing at least some combined water and having a calcium binding power of at least 50 mg CaO/gm of anhydrous active substance and the formula on the anhydrous basis:(M.sub.2/n O).sub.x .multidot.Me.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.(SiO.sub.2).sub.ywhere M is a cation of the valence n, exchangeable with calcium, x is a member of from 0.7 to 1.5, Me is a member selected from the group consisting of aluminum and boron, and y is a number form 0.8 to 6, comprising the steps of mixing said silicate compound, while still moist from its production, with at least part of the remaining components of the washing and cleaning agent and converting the entire mixture of components into a pourable product.