Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a process for the production of water-soluble pouches,
particularly for the production of cleaning or fabric care pouches.
Background to the Invention
[0002] Pouch compositions are known in the art. These compositions are easy to dose, handle,
transport and store. Usually the pouches are formed by placing two sheets of film
together, heat-sealing three edges, filling and then heat-sealing the forth edge.
Recently, water-soluble pouches containing cleaning or fabric care compositions have
become popular. It is desirable that cleaning or fabric care compositions contain
certain actives that are often incompatible with one another or are more efficient
when released at different times in the wash cycle. Therefore, it is advantageous
to formulate a pouch with two or more distinct phases which are usually contained
in different compartments. Multi-compartment pouches are known. See, for example,
WO-A-93/08095 or
US-A-5224601 which discloses a package which contains a toxic composition and is divided into
two compartments. However, for a variety of reasons, it is difficult to quickly and
efficiently produce such multi-phase/multi-compartment pouches using prior art methods.
For example, when forming a multi-compartment pouch it is often difficult to accurately
align the different films with each other meaning production is slowed and quality
is not properly controlled. In addition, prior art methods of forming multi-compartment
pouches often damage the film material due to the mechanical forces necessary to place
and hold the film in the correct position.
[0003] The present invention provides a way of quickly and efficiently forming multi-phase
pouches The present process allows the multi-phase pouch to be formed in a single
mould and helps mitigate the problems associated with prior art methods especially
the problem of aligning the films.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a process for the production of multi-comportment
water-soluble pouches for cleaning or fabric care. The process comprises the steps
of drawing a first film into a mould to form a first compartment, adding a solid or
particulate fabric or hard surface cleaner composition to the first compartment, drawing
a second film in the form of a prefilled sealed pouch into the mould to form a second
compartment which comprises composition and sealing. In a second embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a process comprising drawing a first film into
a mould to form a first compartment, adding a solid or particulate fabric or hard
surface cleaner composition to the first compartment, drawing a second film into the
mould to form a second compartment, adding a second composition to the second compartment,
covering the second compartment with a further film and sealing the films to produce
the pouch. The present processes are characterised in that the first film is perforated
and the perforation has a diameter of less than 2 mm and is made using a laser and
the second film is drawn into the mould by means of suction applied through the first
film. This eliminates the need to align separately formed pouches or containers. Also,
in comparison with prior art processes, reduces the total amount of film to produce
a multi-compartment pouch. Another advantage is that it is very easy to vary the film
material used according to what properties are desired. Since the different compartments
may require different properties this adds flexibility to the process.
[0005] The present process is particularly suited for the production of water soluble pouches
such as cleaning or fabric care pouches.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0006] The process herein must comprise the step of drawing a first film into a mould to
form a first compartment. The film may be drawn into the mould by use of any suitable
means but, preferably, is drawn in by use of suction. The mould can be any suitable
shape such as rectangular, square, circular or oval. Preferred are circular or square
moulds. The mould preferably has a depth of from 0.5cm to 10cm, more preferably from
1cm to 5cm. The diameter of the mould is preferably from 2cm to 15cm, more preferably
from 3cm to 10cm (the diameter being the distance between the two points on the edge
of the mould that are farthest apart).
[0007] Product must then be added to said first compartment. Preferably from 10g to 100g,
more preferably from 20g to 80g, even more preferably from 25 to 70g, of product is
added.
[0008] The process herein must also comprise a step wherein a second film is drawn into
the mould by means of suction applied through at least one perforation in the first
film. The perforation(s) can be of any suitable size or shape but preferably has a
diameter of less than 2mm, more preferably less than 1mm, even more preferably less
than 0.5mm. If the perforation is too large, powder can slowly spill through the film.
The first film can be pre-perforated or the perforation(s) can be made during the
process. The first film can be formulated so that the perforation forms during the
process as a result of the stresses, such as stretching, placed on the film during
the process. Preferably the first film is drawn into the mould and then perforated.
The perforation can be produced using any suitable means. Preferably the perforation(s)
in the film is (are) aligned with one or more of vacuum holes in the mold. Preferred
means include mechanical perforation using pins or perforating by use of a laser.
[0009] In the process herein the second film is drawn into the mould by use of a low pressure
applied through the perforation(s) in the first film. This low pressure can be of
any suitable strength but is preferably from 950 to 30 mbar absolute, more preferably
from 800 to 60 mbar absolute, even more preferably from 600 to 90 mbar absolute.
[0010] This drawing down of the second film can be used to compact the composition in the
first compartment. Alternatively mechanical compaction, either by vibration or compression,
can be used to compact the powder either pre or post the low pressure being applied
to the second film.
[0011] The second compartment must comprise a composition; it is pre-filled with product
before it is drawn into the mould. As it is pre-filled then it is preferably a sealed
pouch before it is added to the mould. The second compartment preferably comprises
from 1g to 50g, more preferably from 5g to 35g, of product.
[0012] In addition to the above essential steps, the process herein preferably comprises
a step which involves the addition of a further film. Preferably, this third film
covers only the second compartment forming a shaped body comprising three films and
two compartments.
[0013] Further films may be added to the pouch either to form further compartments comprising
product or to modify the properties of the pouch (e.g. rate of dissolution or robustness
of the pouch).
[0014] Another, highly preferred step is sealing the films together after the second compartment
has been formed and, if necessary, filled. If further films have been added it is
preferred that all the films are sealed together. The sealing can be achieved by conventional
means such as heat-sealing but, preferably, is achieved by solvent-welding. As used
herein the term "solvent-welding" refers to the process of forming at least a partial
seal between two or more layers of film material by use of a solvent such as water.
This does not exclude that heat and pressure may also be applied to form a seal. Any
suitable solvent may be used herein. It is preferred that the solvent has a viscosity
in the range 0.5 to 15,000 mPa.s, preferably from 2 to 13,000 mPa.s (measured by DIN
53015 at 20°C). Preferred solvents for use herein comprise plasticiser, for example
1,2 propanediol, and water. A preferred sealing process involves applying solvent
comprising plasticiser to the film and then applying heat and/or pressure. The temperature
is preferably from 30°C to 250°C, more preferably from 50°C to 200°C. The pressure
is preferably from 10 Nm
-2 to 1.5x10
7 Nm
-2, more preferably from 100 Nm
-2 to 1x10
5 Nm
-2.
[0015] Therefore, a preferred process according to the present invention comprises the steps:
- (a) drawing a first film into a mould to form a first compartment,
- (b) adding solid or particulate fabric or hard surface cleaner composition to said
first compartment,
- (c) forming a second compartment by drawing a second film into said mould by means
of suction applied through at least one perforation in said first film, wherein the
perforation has a diameter at less than 2mm and is made using a laser.
- (d) adding product to said second compartment,
- (e) covering the second compartment with a further film, and
- (f) sealing.
[0016] The process herein can make use of a die having series of moulds and forming from
a film, open pouches in these moulds to which product can be added, forming another
compartment with film and adding product to the second compartment. Preferably a third
film is added over the second compartment and then the pouch is sealed. A preferred
process herein is a horizontal, continuous process whereby a horizontally positioned
portion of an endless surface with moulds (in two dimensions), which moves continuously
in one direction, is used to form the pouches, namely whereby a film is continuously
fed onto this surface, and then, the film is drawn into the moulds on the horizontal
portion of the surface, to continuously form a web of open pouches positioned in horizontal
position, to which product is added, whilst horizontal and whilst moving continuously.
A second film can then be drawn into the mould and product is added to the second
compartment formed thereof. Preferably a third film is added over the second compartment
and then the pouch is sealed whilst still horizontal and moving continuously.
[0017] A preferred process herein is to use an intermittent, indexing, thermoforming process.
Film Material
[0018] It is preferred that the film used herein whole comprises material which is water-dispersible
or more preferably water-soluble. Preferred water-soluble films are polymeric materials,
preferably polymers which are formed into a film or sheet. The material in the form
of a film can for example be obtained by casting, blow-moulding, extrusion or blow
extrusion of the polymer material, as known in the art. Preferred water-dispersible
material herein has a dispersability of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even
at least 95%, as measured by the method set out hereinafter using a glass-filter with
a maximum pore size of 50 microns. More preferably the material is water-soluble and
has a solubility of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, as
measured by the method set out hereinafter using a glass-filter with a maximum pore
size of 50 microns, namely:
Gravimetric method for determining water-solubility or water-dispersability of the
material of the compartment and/or pouch:
50 grams ±0.1 gram of material is added in a 400 ml beaker, whereof the weight has
been determined, and 245ml ±1ml of distilled water is added. This is stirred vigorously
on magnetic stirrer set at 600 rpm, for 30 minutes. Then, the mixture is filtered
through a folded qualitative sintered-glass filter with the pore sizes as defmed above
(max. 50 micron). The water is dried off from the collected filtrate by any conventional
method, and the weight of the remaining polymer is determined (which is the dissolved
or dispersed fraction). Then, the percentage solubility or dispersability can be calculated.
[0019] The polymer can have any weight average molecular weight, preferably from about 1000
to 1,000,000, or even form 10,000 to 300,000 or even form 15,000 to 200,000 or even
form 20,000 to 150,000.
[0020] Preferred film materials are selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,
polyalkylene oxides, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose
esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyaminoacids
or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide, copolymers of maleic/acrylic acids, polysaccharides
including starch and gelatine, natural gums such as xanthum and carragum. More preferably
the polymer is selected from polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylate copolymers,
methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrin, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl
cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates, polyvinyl
alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC),
and mixtures thereof. Most preferred are polyvinyl alcohols. Preferably, the level
of a type polymer (e.g., commercial mixture) in the film material, for example PVA
polymer, is at least 60% by weight of the film.
[0021] Mixtures of polymers can also be used. This may in particular be beneficial to control
the mechanical and/or dissolution properties of the compartment or pouch, depending
on the application thereof and the required needs. For example, it may be preferred
that a mixture of polymers is present in the material of the compartment, whereby
one polymer material has a higher water-solubility than another polymer material,
and/or one polymer material has a higher mechanical strength than another polymer
material. It may be preferred that a mixture of polymers is used, having different
weight average molecular weights, for example a mixture of PVA or a copolymer thereof
of a weight average molecular weight of 10,000- 40,000, preferably around 20,000,
and of PVA or copolymer thereof, with a weight average molecular weight of about 100,000
to 300,000, preferably around 150,000.
[0022] Also useful are polymer blend compositions, for example comprising hydrolytically
degradable and water-soluble polymer blend such as polylactide and polyvinyl alcohol,
achieved by the mixing of polylactide and polyvinyl alcohol, typically comprising
1-35% by weight polylactide and approximately from 65% to 99% by weight polyvinyl
alcohol, if the material is to be water-dispersible, or water-soluble. It may be preferred
that the PVA present in the film is from 60-98% hydrolysed, preferably 80% to 90%,
to improve the dissolution of the material.
[0023] Most preferred are films, which are water-soluble and stretchable films, as described
above. Highly preferred water-soluble films are films which comprise PVA polymers
and that have similar properties to the film known under the trade reference M8630,
as sold by Chris-Craft Industrial Products of Gary, Indiana, US and also PT-75, as
sold by Aicello of Japan.
[0024] The water-soluble film herein may comprise other additive ingredients than the polymer
or polymer material. For example, it may be beneficial to add plasticisers, for example
glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethyleneglycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol and mixtures
thereof, additional water, disintegrating aids. It may be useful that the pouch or
water-soluble film itself comprises a detergent additive to be delivered to the wash
water, for example organic polymeric soil release agents, dispersants, dye transfer
inhibitors.
[0025] It is preferred that the water-soluble film is stretched during formation and/or
closing of the pouch, such that the resulting pouch is at least partially stretched.
This is to reduce the amount of film required to enclose the volume space of the pouch.
When the film is stretched the film thickness decreases. The degree of stretching
indicates the amount of stretching of the film by the reduction in the thickness of
the film. For example, if by stretching the film, the thickness of the film is exactly
halved then the stretch degree of the stretched film is 100%. Also, if the film is
stretched so that the film thickness of the stretched film is exactly a quarter of
the thickness of the unstretched film then the stretch degree is exactly 200%. Typically
and preferably, the thickness and hence the degree of stretching is non-uniform over
the pouch, due to the formation and closing process. For example, when a water-soluble
film is positioned in a mould and an open compartment is formed by vacuum forming
(and then filled with the components of a composition and then closed), the part of
the film in the bottom of the mould, furthest removed from the points of closing will
be stretched more than in the top part. Preferably, the film which is furthest away
from the opening, e.g. the film in the bottom of the mould, will be stretched more
and be thinner than the film closest by the opening, e.g. at the top part of the mould.
[0026] Another advantage of using stretching the pouch is that the stretching action, when
forming the shape of the pouch and/or when closing the pouch, stretches the pouch
non-uniformly, which results in a pouch which has a non-uniform thickness. This allows
control of the dissolution of water-soluble pouches herein, and for example sequential
release of the components of the detergent composition enclosed by the pouch to the
water.
[0027] Preferably, the pouch is stretched such that the thickness variation in the pouch
formed of the stretched water-soluble film is from 10 to 1000%, preferably 20% to
600%, or even 40% to 500% or even 60% to 400%. This can be measured by any method,
for example by use of an appropriate micrometer. Preferably the pouch is made from
a water-soluble film that is stretched, said film has a stretch degree of from 40%
to 500%, preferably from 40% to 200%.
Composition
[0028] The pouches of the present invention can comprise a variety of compositions. The
first and second compartments can comprise the same composition but preferably comprise
different compositions. Unless stated otherwise all percentages herein are calculated
based on the total weight of the all the composition but excluding the film.
[0029] The compositions are cleaning compositions, fabric care compositions, or hard surface
cleaners. It is preferred that at least one of the compositions is a cleaning compositions,
especially laundry or dish washing compositions including, pre-treatment or soaking
compositions and other rinse additive compositions. The composition can be in any
suitable form such as a liquid, a gel, a solid, or a particulate (compressed or uncompressed).
The first compartment comprises a solid or a particulate composition. Most preferably
the first compartment comprises a particulate.
[0030] Preferably the second compartment comprises a liquid or a gel. The composition(s)
can comprise up to 15% by weight water, but preferably comprises less than 10%, preferably
from 1% to 8%, more preferably from 2% to 7.5% by weight water. This is on basis of
free water, added to the other ingredients of the composition.
[0031] The composition can made by any method and can have any viscosity, typically depending
on its ingredients. The liquid/gel compositions preferably have a viscosity of 50
to 10000 cps (centipoises), as measured at a rate of 20 s
-1, more preferably from 300 to 3000cps or even from 400 to 600 cps. The compositions
herein can be Newtonian or non-Newtonian. The liquid composition preferably has a
density of 0.8kg/l to 1.3kg/l, preferably around 1.0 to 1.1 kg/l.
[0032] In the compositions herein it is preferred that at least a surfactant and builder
are present, preferably at least anionic surfactant and preferably also nonionic surfactant,
and preferably at least water-soluble builder, preferably at least phosphate builder
or more preferably at least fatty acid builder. Preferred is also the presence of
enzymes and preferred may also be to incorporate a bleaching agent, such as a preformed
peroxyacid. Highly preferred are also perfume, brightener, buffering agents, fabric
softening agents, including clays and silicones benefit agents, suds suppressors,
colorant or dye and/ or pearlescence agent.
[0033] In hard-surface cleaning compositions and dish wash compositions, it is preferred
that at least a water-soluble builder is present, such as a phosphate, and preferably
also surfactant, perfume, enzymes, bleach.
[0034] In fabric enhancing compositions, preferably at least a perfume and a fabric benefit
agent are present for example a cationic softening agent, or clay softening agent,
anti-wrinkling agent, fabric substantive dye.
[0035] Highly preferred in all above compositions are also additional solvents, such as
alcohols, diols, monoamine derivatives, glycerol, glycols, polyalkylane glycols, such
as polyethylene glycol. Highly preferred are mixtures of solvents, such as mixtures
of alcohols, mixtures of diols and alcohols, mixtures. Highly preferred may be that
(at least) an alcohol, diol, monoamine derivative and preferably even glycerol are
present. The compositions of the invention are preferably concentrated liquids having
preferably less than 50% or even less than 40% by weight of solvent, preferably less
than 30% or even less than 20% or even less than 35% by weight. Preferably the solvent
is present at a level of at least 5% or even at least 10% or even at least 15% by
weight of the composition.
[0036] Preferably the compositions herein comprise surfactant. Any suitable surfactant may
be used. Preferred surfactants are selected from anionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic,
nonionic (including semi-polar nonionic surfactants), cationic surfactants and mixtures
thereof. The compositions preferably have a total surfactant level of from 0.5% to
75% by weight, more preferably from 1% to 50% by weight, most preferably from 5% to
30% by weight of total composition. Detergent surfactants are well known and described
in the art (see, for example, "Surface Active Agents and Detergents", Vol. I & II
by Schwartz, Perry and Beach). Especially preferred are compositions comprising anionic
surfactants. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium,
and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of the
anionic sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and sarcosinate surfactants. Anionic sulfate
surfactants are preferred. Other anionic surfactants include the isethionates such
as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, fatty acid amides of methyl tauride, alkyl
succinates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated
and unsaturated C
12-C
18 monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C
6-C
14 diesters), N-acyl sarcosinates. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also
suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin
acids present in or derived from tallow oil.
[0037] The composition can comprise a cyclic hydrotrope. Any suitable cyclic hydrotrope
may be used. However, preferred hydrotropes are selected from salts of cumene sulphonate,
xylene sulphonate, naphthalene sulphonate, p-toluene sulphonate, and mixtures thereof.
Especially preferred are salts of cumene sulphonate. While the sodium form of the
hydrotrope is preferred, the potassium, ammonium, alkanolammonium, and/or C
2-C
4 alkyl substituted ammonium forms can also be used.
[0038] The compositions herein may contain a C
5-C
20 polyol, preferably wherein at least two polar groups that are separated from each
other by at least 5, preferably 6, carbon atoms. Particularly preferred C
5-C
20 polyols include 1,4 Cyclo Hexane Di Methanol, 1,6 Hexanediol, 1,7 Heptanediol, and
mixtures thereof.
[0039] The compositions preferably comprise a water-soluble builder compound, typically
present in detergent compositions at a level of from 1% to 60% by weight, preferably
from 3% to 40% by weight, most preferably from 5% to 25% by weight of the composition.
[0040] Suitable water-soluble builder compounds include the water soluble monomeric carboxylates,
or their acid forms, or homo or copolymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in
which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated
from each other by not more that two carbon atoms, and mixtures of any of the foregoing.
Preferred builder compounds include citrate, tartrate, succinates, oxydissuccinates,
carboxymethyloxysuccinate, nitrilotriacetate, and mixtures thereof.
[0041] Highly preferred may be that one or more fatty acids and/ or optionally salts thereof
(and then preferably sodium salts) are present in the detergent composition. It has
been found that this can provide further improved softening and cleaning of the fabrics.
Preferably, the compositions contain 1% to 25% by weight of a fatty acid or salt thereof,
more preferably 6% to 18% or even 10% to16% by weight. Preferred are in particular
C
12-C
18 saturated and/or unsaturated, linear and/or branched, fatty acids, but preferably
mixtures of such fatty acids. Highly preferred have been found mixtures of saturated
and unsaturated fatty acids, for example preferred is a mixture of rape seed-derived
fatty acid and C
16-C
18 topped whole cut fatty acids, or a mixture of rape seed-derived fatty acid and a
tallow alcohol derived fatty acid, palmitic, oleic, fatty alkylsuccinic acids, and
mixtures thereof.
[0042] The compositions herein may comprise phosphate-containing builder material. Preferably
present at a level of from 2% to 40%, more preferably from 3% to 30%, more preferably
from 5% to 20%. Suitable examples of water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali
metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and
potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium
polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerization ranges from about 6 to 21,
and salts of phytic acid.
[0043] The compositions herein may contain a partially soluble or insoluble builder compound,
typically present in detergent compositions at a level of from 0.5% to 60% by weight,
preferably from 5% to 50% by weight, most preferably from 8% to 40% weight of the
composition. Preferred are aluminosilicates and/ or crystalline layered silicates
such as SKS-6, available from Clariant.
[0044] It is preferred that the compositions herein comprise perfume. Highly preferred are
perfume components, preferably at least one component comprising a coating agent and/
or carrier material, preferably organic polymer carrying the perfume or alumniosilicate
carrying the perfume, or an encapsulate enclosing the perfume, for example starch
or other cellulosic material encapsulate. Preferably the compositions of the present
invention comprise from 0.01% to 10% of perfume, more preferably from 0.1% to 3%.
The different compartments herein can comprise different types and levels of perfume.
[0045] The compositions herein can comprise fabric softening clays. Preferred fabric softening
clays are smectite clays, which can also be used to prepare the organophilic clays
described hereinafter, for example as disclosed in
EP-A-299575 and
EP-A-313146. Specific examples of suitable smectite clays are selected from the classes of the
bentonites- also known as montmorillonites, hectorites, volchonskoites, nontronites,
saponites and sauconites, particularly those having an alkali or alkaline earth metal
ion within the crystal lattice structure. Preferably, hectorites or montmorillonites
or mixtures thereof. Hectorites are most preferred clays. Examples of hectorite clays
suitable for the present compositions include Bentone EW as sold by Elementis.
[0046] Another preferred clay is an organophilic clay, preferably a smectite clay, whereby
at least 30% or even at least 40% or preferably at least 50% or even at least 60%
of the exchangeable cations is replaced by a, preferably long-chain, organic cations.
Such clays are also referred to as hydrophobic clays. The cation exchange capacity
of clays and the percentage of exchange of the cations with the long-chain organic
cations can be measured in several ways known in the art, as for example fully set
out in
Grimshaw, The Chemistry and Physics of Clays, Interscience Publishers, Inc.,pp. 264-265
(1971). Highly preferred are organophilic clays as available from Rheox/Elementis, such
as Bentone SD-1 and Bentone SD-3, which are registered trademarks of Rheox/Elementis.
[0047] The compositions herein preferably comprise a bleaching system, especially a perhydrate
bleach system. Examples of prehydrate bleaches include salts of percarbonates, particularly
the sodium salts, and/ or organic peroxyacid bleach precursor, and/or transition metal
bleach catalysts, especially those comprising Mn or Fe. It has been found that when
the pouch or compartment is formed from a material with free hydroxy groups, such
as PVA, the preferred bleaching agent comprises a percarbonate salt and is preferably
free form any perborate salts or borate salts. It has been found that borates and
perborates interact with these hydroxy-containing materials and reduce the dissolution
of the materials and also result in reduced performance. Inorganic perhydrate salts
are a preferred source of peroxide. Examples of inorganic perhydrate salts include
percarbonate, perphosphate, persulfate and persilicate salts. The inorganic perhydrate
salts are normally the alkali metal salts. Alkali metal percarbonates, particularly
sodium percarbonate are preferred perhydrates herein.
[0048] The compositions herein preferably comprises a peroxy acid or a precursor therefor
(bleach activator), preferably comprising an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor.
It may be preferred that the composition comprises at least two peroxy acid bleach
precursors, preferably at least one hydrophobic peroxyacid bleach precursor and at
least one hydrophilic peroxy acid bleach precursor, as defined herein. The production
of the organic peroxyacid occurs then by an in-situ reaction of the precursor with
a source of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrophobic peroxy acid bleach precursor preferably
comprises a compound having a oxy-benzene sulphonate group, preferably NOBS, DOBS,
LOBS and/ or NACA-OBS, as described herein. The hydrophilic peroxy acid bleach precursor
preferably comprises TAED.
[0049] Amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor compounds can be used herein. Suitable
amide substituted bleach activator compounds are described in
EP-A-0170386.
[0050] The compositions may contain a pre-formed organic peroxyacid. A preferred class of
organic peroxyacid compounds are described in
EP-A-170,386. Other organic peroxyacids include diacyl and tetraacylperoxides, especially diperoxydodecanedioc
acid, diperoxytetradecanedioc acid and diperoxyhexadecanedioc acid. Mono- and diperazelaic
acid, mono- and diperbrassylic acid and N-phthaloylaminoperoxicaproic acid are also
suitable herein.
[0051] Another preferred ingredient useful in the compositions herein is one or more enzymes.
Suitable enzymes include enzymes selected from peroxidases, proteases, gluco-amylases,
amylases, xylanases, cellulases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases,
keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases,
tannases, pentosanases, malanases, β-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase,
dextranase, transferase, laccase, mannanase, xyloglucanases, or mixtures thereof.
Detergent compositions generally comprise a cocktail of conventional applicable enzymes
like protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase.
[0052] The compositions herein are preferably not formulated to have an unduly high pH.
Preferably, the compositions of the present invention have a pH, measured as a 1%
solution in distilled water, of from 7.0 to 12.5, more preferably from 7.5 to 11.8,
most preferably from 8.0 to 11.5.
Pouches
[0053] The pouches herein can be of any form which is suitable to hold the compositions,
e.g. without allowing the substantial release of composition from the pouch prior
to use. The exact execution will depend on, for example, the type and amount of the
composition in the pouch, the number of compartments in the pouch, the characteristics
required from the pouch to hold, protect and deliver or release the compositions.
The pouch may be of any suitable size but it is preferred that it conveniently contains
either a unit dose amount of the composition herein, suitable for the required operation,
for example one wash, or only a partial dose, to allow the consumer greater flexibility
to vary the amount used, for example depending on the size and/or degree of soiling
of the wash load.
1. Verfahren zur Herstellung von wasserlöslichen Mehrkammerbeuteln zur Reinigung bzw.
Stoffpflege, das folgende Schritte umfasst:
(a) Ziehen einer ersten Folie in eine Form zum Bilden einer ersten Kammer,
(b) Hinzufügen einer festen bzw. teilchenförmigen Reinigungszusammensetzung für Stoffe
bzw. harte Oberflächen in die erste Kammer,
(c) Bilden einer zweiten Kammer durch Ziehen einer zweiten Folie in Form eines vorgefüllten
verschweißten Beutels in die Form,
(d) Zusammenschweißen der Folien,
wobei die zweite Kammer eine Zusammensetzung umfasst und die zweite Folie durch einen
Sog, der durch mindestens eine Perforation in der ersten Folie angelegt wird, in die
Form gezogen wird, wobei die Perforation einen Durchmesser von weniger als 2 mm aufweist
und unter Verwendung eines Lasers hergestellt wird.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei mindestens eine der Zusammensetzungen eine Reinigungszusammensetzung
ist.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Zusammensetzung in der ersten Kammer teilchenförmig
ist.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Sog 95 bis 3 kPa (950 bis 30 mbar) beträgt.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Folienmaterial ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe
bestehend aus: Polyacrylaten und wasserlöslichen Acrylatcopolymeren, Methylcellulose,
Carboxymethylcellulosenatrium, Dextrin, Ethylcellulose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,
Maltodextrin, Polymethacrylaten und Mischungen davon.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Folienmaterial ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe
bestehend aus: Polyvinylalkoholen, Polyvinylalkoholcopolymeren, Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
und Mischungen davon.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Perforationen vorgeformt sind.
8. Wasserlöslicher Beutel, der durch ein Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 erzielt wird.
9. Verfahren zur Herstellung von wasserlöslichen Mehrkammerbeuteln zur Reinigung bzw.
Stoffpflege, das folgende Schritte umfasst:
(a) Ziehen einer ersten Folie in eine Form zum Bilden einer ersten Kammer,
(b) Hinzufügen einer festen bzw. teilchenförmigen Reinigungszusammensetzung für Stoffe
oder harte Oberflächen in die erste Kammer,
(c) Bilden einer zweiten Kammer, indem eine zweite Folie durch einen Sog, der durch
mindestens eine Perforation in der ersten Folie angelegt wird, in die Form gezogen
wird,
(d) Hinzufügen einer Zusammensetzung in die zweite Kammer,
(e) Abdecken der zweiten Kammer mit zusätzlicher Folie und
(f) Verschweißen des Beutels,
wobei die Perforation einen Durchmesser von weniger als 2 mm aufweist und durch einen
Laser hergestellt wird.