BR112019027194A2 - water-soluble package and its use - Google Patents

Abstract

Water-soluble package for retaining a unit dose composition, the water-soluble package comprising a water-soluble substrate having a thickness of 30 micrometers to 250 micrometers, said substrate comprising: (i) a film-forming material; and, (ii) 0.2% to 5% by weight of surfactant; wherein the substrate has uniformly dispersed gas bubbles in it having an average diameter less than the total thickness of the substrate. Use of the water-soluble package for washing dishes or washing textiles.

Description

Invention Patent Descriptive Report

WATER SOLUBLE PACKAGE AND ITS USE Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-soluble package and, more particularly, to a water-soluble package having a foamed water-soluble substrate, the substrate of which includes a surfactant.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Water-soluble packages known in the art typically include a cleaning composition or a treatment composition, such as a dishwashing detergent composition or a fabric washing detergent composition included in a water-soluble substrate which is in the form of a film, sachet, bag and other types of container or capsule. The water-soluble package is commonly used to simplify dispersion, spillage, dissolution and dosing of the composition. A consumer can directly add the package to a mixing container, such as a bucket, sink or washing machine. Advantageously, this provides accurate dosing while eliminating the need for the consumer to measure the composition. The package can also reduce the dirt that would be associated with dispensing a similar composition from a storage container, such as spilling liquid detergent to wash fabrics from a bottle. The package also isolates the composition in it from contact with the user's hands. In short, the water-soluble package containing pre-measured composition provides for consumer convenience use in a variety of applications.

[0003] The water-soluble package in the form of a package, capsule or container is generally formed by sealing a water-soluble substrate to include a composition within it. Typically, the release of the contents of such a water-soluble package should be rapid and the water-soluble substrate including the contents should dissolve completely during use in water and without leaving a residue.

[0004] A typical problem encountered by consumers is incomplete dissolution of the water-soluble package when added to the detergent drawer of a washing machine. This problem is especially prevalent when the washing machine is using cold water for the purpose of washing. To overcome this problem, the water-soluble substrate is often thin and designed to provide high solubility or reactivity in water.

[0005] Suitable commercially known PVOH-based thermoplastic films such as M8630 from MonoSol LLC are plasticized cold water-soluble films based on a fully hydrolyzed PVOH with average molecular weight having carboxylate groups. The film has a thickness of 75 microns and a weight of about 98 g / m2.

[0006] Although water-soluble films that dissolve completely in cold water are known, they can be very sensitive to moisture to package to contain consumer products such as cleaning compositions or treatment compositions. High humidity or water drops from handling the package with damp hands can cause the water-soluble package to stick and / or dissolve through the package and cause leakage of the package contents.

[0007] To reduce the sensitivity of water-soluble film to moisture, solutions have been proposed in the past. Such a solution is considered in US2006 / 0165625 A1 (Verrall et al.) Which describes a water-soluble article such as films, having a coating of Na2SO4 solution applied to the outer surface of a PVOH package that exhibits increased adhesion resistance pack-by-pack when exposed to small amounts of water. Also disclosed is a method of making the water-soluble film having a step of adding salt to the water-soluble film-forming composition and then forming a film from the mixture including the water-soluble film-forming composition with sodium sulfate in it.

[0008] More recently, US8309203 B2 (The Procter & Gamble Company, 2012) describes a water-soluble substrate that has better resistance to dissolution before being immersed in water by the provision of water-insoluble particles partially incorporated in said soluble substrate. in water. The water-soluble substrate has a base weight of 33 to 167 grams per square meter and a thickness ranging from 25 micrometers to about 125 micrometers. The water-soluble substrate may have surfactants incorporated in amounts ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 1% by weight.

[0009] To obtain good solubility in cold water, the water-soluble substrate may have to be so thin that, in addition to being sensitive to moisture, the mechanical properties including those related to processability and heat sealing ability can also be compromised. For the preparation of a package from the water-soluble substrate, it is desired that the water-soluble substrate exhibits flexibility, that is, the ability to accept a fold without cracking or become seriously weakened in order to be useful.

[0010] Yet another solution is proposed in US3695989B1 (1972, Robert E Albert) which describes a foamed film and cold water-soluble package made from foamed films of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone or mixtures of the two for use in powdery material packages. . The package containing the powdery material can be loaded directly into the water, to allow the user to take exact measurements without contacting the contents of the package. The foamed film uniformly dispersed the bubbles having an average diameter of less than 1/3 of the total thickness of the film.

[0011] Thus, the present inventors have investigated ways to improve the water-soluble package and, in particular, to provide a water-soluble package that works properly and provides the benefits of good cold water solubility, good processability and flexibility. However, the present inventors have noted that foamed water-soluble substrate having a thickness of 30 micrometers to 250 micrometers can provide improvement in solubility in cold water, but it is extremely susceptible to small amounts of moisture and atmospheric humidity, it is also desired that the foamed water-soluble substrate has good bubble stability.

Summary of the Invention

[0012] It has surprisingly been found that the water-soluble package including a foamed water-soluble substrate whose substrate has a film-forming material and low levels of a surfactant preferably an anionic surfactant, yet preferably an anionic alkyl sulfate surfactant which allows the creation and stabilization of a foam structure on the water-soluble substrate. The presence of low levels of surfactant in the foamed structure of the water-soluble substrate provides the substrate with the desired flexibility required for preparing consumer packages. In addition, such substrate is also thicker than dense films of the same weight per unit area due to the presence of stable bubbles that allow it to exhibit good processability while maintaining good solubility in cold water.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a water-soluble package for retaining a unit dose composition comprising a water-soluble substrate having a thickness of 30 micrometers to 250 micrometers, said substrate including a film-forming material and 0.2% to 5% by weight of surfactant in which the substrate uniformly dispersed gas bubbles in it having an average diameter less than the total thickness of the substrate.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the use of the water-soluble package of the first aspect for dishwashing, textile treatment or textile washing is disclosed.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a water-soluble package comprising a water-soluble substrate having a thickness of 30 micrometers to 250 micrometers is disclosed, said substrate comprising a film forming material; and 0.2% to 5% by weight of surfactant. Water soluble package

[0016] "Water-soluble package" means any package construction that is suitable for the inclusion and / or containment of a composition or material, such as a detergent composition for washing dishes or washing fabrics or composition for the treatment of fabrics. The water-soluble package can be in any form of packaging, such as film packaging, capsules, bags, sachets and containers. In particular embodiments, the water-soluble package is a single-dose water-soluble package.

[0017] As used here, the term "water-soluble" not only refers to a structure that is completely soluble in water, but also includes those that are substantially soluble in water, but have some materials in the water-soluble structure that do not they are soluble in water; the structure that is soluble in water at different temperature conditions or different pH conditions and also refers to the structure that is dispersible in water or disintegrable in water.

[0018] The water-soluble package typically contains at least one compartment for containing the composition. In some embodiments, the water-soluble package includes two or more compartments. Each compartment can contain some composition or a different composition than the one in the other compartment. Alternatively, each compartment can contain a different component (or mixture of components) from a composition in another compartment. For example, the water-soluble package may contain two compartments in which each compartment is a different mixture of components that together constitute a cleaning composition for washing fabrics, composition for treating fabrics or composition for washing dishes.

[0019] The water-soluble package includes a water-soluble substrate preferably including and / or containing a composition or material. In use, the water-soluble substrate can dissolve in water to release the material or composition included within the substrate. Such materials and compositions particularly include, but are not limited to, detergent compositions, such as dishwashing composition, fabric washing detergent composition or fabric treatment composition. The material or composition can be any solid, granular, gel, particulate, compressed or liquid form. Preferably, the material or composition is a powder, particulate, compressed or granular form.

[0020] The water-soluble package can be designed as a dimensionally stable receptacle, for example, in the form of a capsule, box or container. It is also possible and preferred to form the water-soluble package as a non-dimensionally stable container, for example, as a package or sachet. The format of this type of water-soluble package can be adapted to a great extent to the conditions of use. Various formats such as tubes, cushions, cylinders, bottles or discs are suitable. The water-soluble package of the invention is conveniently in the form of a package, bag or sachet. Such a sachet may be formed of one or more films or sheets of the water-soluble substrate or of a tubular section of such substrate, but it is most conveniently formed of a folded sheet or two sheets, sealed together at the edge regions either by of an adhesive or, preferably, by heat sealing. A preferred form of sachet according to the invention is a rectangular formed from a single folded sheet of the water soluble substrate sealed on three sides, although the sachet can be of any shape or size known in the art.

[0021] Preferred sealing methods include heat sealing, solvent welding, and solvent or wet sealing. It is preferred that only the area that is to form the seal is treated with heat or solvent. The heat or solvent can be applied by any method, preferably to the closing material, preferably only to the areas, which must form the seal. If solvent or wet sealing or welding is used, it may be preferred that heat is also applied. Preferred methods of wet sealing or solvent sealing / welding include selective application of solvent over the area between the molds or the closing material, for example, by spraying or printing it on these areas and then applying pressure on them areas to form the fence.

[0022] The formed packages can then be cut by a cutting device. Cutting can be done using any known method. It may be preferred that the cut is also made continuously and preferably at a constant speed and preferably while in a horizontal position. The cutting device can, for example, be a sharp item or a hot item, so in the latter case, the hot item 'burns' through the film / seal area. Water-soluble substrate

[0023] The disclosed water-soluble package includes a water-soluble substrate whose substrate typically forms a wall or walls of the water-soluble package to include a composition.

[0024] The water-soluble substrate can be in the form of a foamed film or a foamed sheet. The water-soluble substrate can be in the form of woven, non-woven or fused structures. Preferably, the water-soluble substrate is thermoplastic.

[0025] The water-soluble substrate has a thickness ranging from 30 micrometers to 250 micrometers. Preferably, the thickness of the water-soluble substrate is at least 50 micrometers, still preferably at least 60 micrometers, more preferably at least 65 micrometers and most preferably still at least 75 micrometers, but typically not more than 180 micrometers, still preferably not more than 170 micrometers and more preferably not more than 150 micrometers. The preferred water-soluble substrate has a thickness ranging from 75 micrometers to 150 micrometers.

[0026] Preferably, the water-soluble substrate has a base weight in the range of 30 grams per square meter to 70 grams per square meter, more preferably the base weight in the range of 35 grams per square meter to 50 grams per square meter. Preferably, the base weight of the water-soluble substrate is at least 32 grams per square meter, still preferably at least 34 grams per square meter, more preferably still at least 35 grams per square meter, but typically no more than 60 grams per meter square, still preferably no more than 65 grams per square meter and most preferably still no more than 50 grams per square meter.

[0027] The water-soluble substrate according to the present invention is a foamed structure having gas bubbles dispersed therein. In the foamed water-soluble substrate, the average diameter of the gas bubbles is less than the total thickness of the substrate. Preferably, the volume of gas bubbles in the substrate is 80% to 99% of the substrate volume, more preferably 85% to 95% of the substrate volume. Film forming material:

[0028] The water-soluble substrate includes a film-forming material. "Film-forming material" as used herein refers to a material which alone or in combination with a correative material, such as a crosslinking agent, is capable of forming a self-supporting continuous film on a surface upon curing and preferably includes polymeric material that, by removing any solvents or vehicles present in the emulsion, dispersion, suspension or polymer solution, can coalesce to form a film on at least one horizontal surface and is capable of curing in a continuous film. Such a film-forming material preferably includes a polymer or monomer capable of producing a polymeric material that exhibits properties suitable for the manufacture of a film or a sheet, or a foam, such as by casting, blow molding, extrusion or blow extrusion of the material, as is well known in the art.

[0029] The preferred film-forming material is polymeric material, preferably polymers that are capable of being formed into a foamed film or foamed sheet. The polymeric material can, for example, be formed into a film or sheet by casting, blow molding, extrusion or blow extrusion of the polymeric material, as is well known in the art.

[0030] Suitable film-forming material is known and includes any water-soluble polymer or polymer mixtures. In particular, the water-soluble substrate may include one or more film forming materials. Examples of film-forming material include polymers, copolymers or derivatives thereof and are selected from polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyacrylates, water-soluble acrylate copolymers, polyamino acids or peptides, polyamides, acid polylactic acid, polyaminopropyl sulfonic acid and salts thereof, polyitaconic acid and salts thereof, polyacrylamides, polyalkylene oxides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, pulalan, cellulosic (cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, cellulose amides and includes examples such as carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxymethyl cellulose). natural water-soluble polymers (such as guar gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan and starch), water-soluble polymer derivatives (such as modified starches, including ethoxylated starch and hydroxylated propyl starch, poly (acrylamide-2-methylpropane sodium sulfonate, polymonomethylmaleate) and salts thereof) and combinations thereof.

[0031] The most preferred polymers are selected from water-soluble acrylate polyacrylates and copolymers, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, dextrin, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,

maltodextrin, polymethacrylates. Most preferably, the film-forming material includes polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, modified polyvinyl alcohol preferably modified with a carboxyl group, vinylamide monomer and / or a sulfonic acid group or other known functional groups in the state of the art for improving solubility in water, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

[0032] Most preferably, the film-forming material includes or consists essentially of vinyl polymers, including homopolymers and copolymers having hydroxyl or carboxyl groups. Preferred polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, modified polyvinyl alcohol or mixtures thereof. Polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and modified polyvinyl alcohols can provide stable water-soluble substrate that has adequate dissolution rates. Preferably, the film-forming material on the water-soluble substrate is a PVOH.

[0033] Polymer blends can also be used as the film forming material. This can be beneficial for controlling the mechanical and / or dissolving properties of the package, depending on the application of these and the required requirements. Suitable mixtures include, for example, mixtures in which a polymer has a greater solubility in water than another polymer and / or a polymer has a greater mechanical strength than another polymer. Also suitable are mixtures of polymers having different weight average molecular weights, for example, a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol or a copolymer thereof having an average molecular weight of about 10,000 to 40,000, preferably around 20,000, and polyvinyl alcohol or copolymer of this, with an average molecular weight of about 100,000 to 300,000, preferably around 150,000.

[0034] Preferably, the film-forming material is a polymer having an average molecular weight of 1000 to 1x106, preferably from 1x104 to 3x105, still preferably from 20,000 to 1.5x105.

[0035] Preferably, the level of film-forming material in the water-soluble substrate, for example, a polyvinyl alcohol polymer, is at least 40% by weight, still preferably at least 50% by weight, still preferably at least 55 % by weight and most preferably still at least 65% by weight, but typically not more than 85% by weight, still preferably not more than 80% by weight and more preferably still not more than 75% by weight.

[0036] The film forming material is preferably a polymer which is hydrolyzed. To provide the desired film properties for the preparation of a package while maintaining acceptable dissolution rates, it is preferred that the polymer is partially hydrolyzed, more preferably, that the polymer has a degree of hydrolysis ranging from 60% to 99%, preferably 60 % to 98%, still preferably in the range of 60% to 90%, more preferably in the range of 65% to 85% and most preferably still from 75% to 85%. The most preferable degree of hydrolysis is between 75% to 80%. Preferably, the film-forming material is a hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate preferably having a degree of hydrolysis of 60% to 90%.

[0037] Preferably, the process for preparing a water-soluble substrate of a film-forming material involves a blowing or melting step of the film-forming material or a solution thereof, preferably the water-soluble substrate is produced by a casting process. Surfactant:

[0038] The revealed water-soluble substrate includes 0.2% to 5% by weight of surfactant. The desired level of surfactant according to the present invention in the water-soluble substrate provides stability for the gas bubbles dispersed in the foamed water-soluble substrate and improves the flexibility and heat-sealing ability of the substrate allowing the substrate to be used advantageously for the preparation of a package for retaining a composition or material that must be released.

Preferably, the amount of surfactant in the water-soluble substrate is at least 0.25% by weight, still preferably at least 0.3% by weight, more preferably at least 0.4% by weight and most preferably at least less 0.45% by weight, but typically not more than 4% by weight, still preferably not more than 3.5% by weight, more preferably not more than 3% by weight and more preferably still not more than 2% by weight.

[0040] Suitable surfactants may include anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic classes or mixtures thereof. Suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to, polyoxyethylenated polyoxypropylene glycols, ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, tertiary acetylenic glycols and (non-ionic) alkanamides, polyoxyethylenated amines, quaternary ammonium salts and quaternized (cationic) and amine-ethoxylated amines and cationic amines and ammonium oxides. sulfobetaines (zwitterionics).

[0041] Preferably, the surfactant is an anionic surfactant selected from straight or branched chain alkyl sulfates, sulfonate surfactant, polyalkoxylated alkyl sulfates, also known as alkyl ether sulfates, such surfactants can be produced by the sulfation of C8 fatty alcohols -C20 higher or mixtures thereof.

[0042] Examples of primary alkyl sulfate surfactants are those of the formula: ROSO3 −M +

[0043] where R is a linear C8-C20 hydrocarbyl group and M is a cation with solubilization in water. Preferably, R is C10-C16 alkyl, for example, C12-C14, and M is an alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

[0044] Examples of secondary alkyl sulfate surfactants are those that have the sulfate portion in a “main structure” of the molecule, for example, those of the formula: CH2 (CH2) n (CHOSO3 −M +) (CH2) mCH3

[0045] where m and n are independently 2 or more, the sum of m + n is typically 6 to 20, for example 9 to 15, and M is a cation with solubilization in water such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

[0046] The especially preferred secondary alkyl sulfates are the (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactants of the formulas: CH2 (CH2) x (CHOSO3 −M +) CH3 and CH3 (CH2) x (CHOSO3 −M +) CH2CH3

[0047] for 2-sulfate and 3-sulfate, respectively. In these formulas, x is at least 4, for example 6 to 20, preferably 10 to 16. M is cation, such as an alkali metal, for example, lithium, sodium or potassium.

[0048] Examples of alkoxylated alkyl sulfates are ethoxylated alkyl sulfates of the formula RO (C2H4O) nSO3 −M +

[0049] where R is a C8-C20 alkyl group, preferably C10-C18 such as a C12-C16, n is at least 1, for example from 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15, especially 1 to 6, and M it is a salt-forming cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium or alkaneammonium. These compounds can provide especially desirable benefits in tissue cleaning performance when used in combination with alkyl sulfates.

[0050] Alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates will generally be used in the form of mixtures comprising alkyl chains of varying lengths and, if present, varying degrees of alkoxylation.

[0051] Other anionic surfactants that can be used are fatty acid salts, for example, C8-C18 fatty acids, especially sodium or potassium salts, and alkyl, for example, C8-C18, benzene sulfonates.

[0052] Most preferably, the anionic surfactant is a sulfated anionic surfactant, preferably the alkali metal salt of lauryl sulfate, still preferably sodium lauryl sulfate. The sulfated anionic surfactant, preferably sodium lauryl sulfate, is included in the foamed water-soluble substrate at a level ranging from 0.2% to 5%, more preferably from 0.25% to 2%, still preferably from 0, 4% to 1% by weight of the water-soluble substrate.

[0053] Examples of non-ionic surfactants are fatty acid alkoxylates, such as fatty acid ethoxylates, especially those of the formula: R (C2H4O) nOH

[0054] wherein R is a C8-C16 straight or branched alkyl group, preferably a C9-C15 alkyl group, for example C10-C14 and n is at least 1, for example from 1 to 16, preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 3 to 10.

[0055] The nonionic surfactant of alkoxylated fatty alcohol will often have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) that ranges from 3 to 17, more preferably from 6 to 15, more preferably from 10 to 15.

[0056] Examples of fatty alcohol ethoxylates are those made of alcohols of 12 to 15 carbon atoms and which contain about 7 moles of ethylene oxide. Such materials are marketed under the trademarks Neodol 25-7 and Neodol 23-6.5 by Shell Chemical Company. Other useful Neodols include Neodol 1-5, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol with an average of 11 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; Neodol 23-9, a primary ethoxylated C12-C13 alcohol having about 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and Neodol 91-10, a primary ethoxylated C9-C11 alcohol having about 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

[0057] Alcohol ethoxylates of this type have also been marketed by Shell

Chemical Company under the trademark Dobanol. Dobanol 91-5 is an ethoxylated C9-C11 fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles of ethylene oxide and Dobanol 25-7 is an ethoxylated C12-C15 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol .

[0058] Other examples of suitable ethoxylated alcoholic nonionic surfactants include Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-S-9, both of which are secondary linear alcohol ethoxylates available from Union Carbide Corporation. Tergitol 15-S-7 is a mixed ethoxylated product of a secondary linear C11-C15 alkanol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and Tergitol 15-S-9 is the same, but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.

[0059] Other suitable ethoxylated nonionic alcohol surfactants are Neodol 45-11, which is a condensation product of ethylene oxide of a fatty alcohol having 14-15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mol being about 11. Such products are also available from Shell Chemical Company.

[0060] Other non-ionic surfactants are, for example, C10-C18 alkyl polyglycosides, such as C12-C16 alkyl polyglycosides, especially polyglucosides. These are especially useful when high foaming compositions are desired. Other surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as N- (3-methoxypropyl) glycamides C10-C18 and ethylene oxide-block propylene oxide polymers of the Pluronic type.

[0061] Examples of cationic surfactants are those of the quaternary ammonium type. Plasticizer:

[0062] Preferably, the water-soluble substrate includes a plasticizer. Examples of preferred plasticizer include, but are not limited to, glycerol, glycerin, diglycerin, hydroxypropyl glycerin, sorbitol, methylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, neopentylglycol, polyethylene, polyethylene, polyethylene and polyethylene. The plasticizer, when present, may be included in the water-soluble substrate material in an appropriate amount, as is generally known. Preferably, the plasticizer is a combination of glycerin and polyethylene glycol. Method for preparing the water-soluble package

[0063] The water-soluble package of the present invention can be manufactured using standard known techniques. For example, the water-soluble substrate is typically formed (preferably thermoformed) in a water-soluble substrate envelope (for example, a film pouch, open capsule or container). The water-soluble substrate shell can then be filled with a composition such as a dishwashing or fabric washing detergent or fabric treatment composition. The fabric treatment composition can be an after-wash treatment composition, preferably added in the rinse stage or a pre-treatment composition. The water-soluble wrapper containing the composition or material can then be sealed, for example, by sealing the edges of the wrapping or joining the wrapper with one or more additional pieces of water-soluble substrate, to include the material or composition in the water-soluble package. The water-soluble package retaining the composition can be in the form of packaging sachets, bags etc. single and multiple compartment.

[0064] The water-soluble package and other such containers incorporating the water-soluble substrate described herein can be made in any suitable manner known in the art. There are several processes for the manufacture of water-soluble package. These include, among others, processes known in the art such as: vertical forming-filling-sealing processes, horizontal forming-filling-sealing processes and forming the package in molds on the surface of a circular drum.

[0065] In vertical form-fill-seal processes, a vertical tube is formed by folding a substrate. The bottom end of the tube is sealed to form an open package. This package is partially filled leaving an empty space. The upper part of the open pack is then subsequently sealed to close the pack and to form the next open pack. The first package is subsequently cut and the process is repeated. The package formed in such a way is usually shaped like a pillow.

[0066] Horizontal forming-filling-sealing processes use a matrix having a series of molds on it. In the horizontal form-fill-seal processes, a substrate is placed in the matrix and the open package is formed in these molds, which can then be filled, covered with another layer of substrate and sealed.

[0067] In the third process (forming a package in molds on the surface of a circular drum), a substrate is circulated over the drum and bags are formed, which pass under a filling machine to fill the open bags. The filling and sealing occurs at the highest point (top) of the circle described by the drum, for example, typically, the filling is done well before the rotating drum starts the downward circular movement and the sealing, just after the drum starts its downward movement .

[0068] In any of the processes that involve an open package formation step, the water-soluble substrate can be initially molded or formed in the form of an open package using thermoforming, vacuum forming or both. Thermoforming involves heating the molds and / or the substrate by applying heat in any known manner such as contacting the molds with a heating element or by blowing hot air or using heating lamps to heat the molds and / or the substrate . In the case of vacuum forming, vacuum assistance is employed to help drive the substrate into the mold. In other embodiments, the two techniques can be combined to form the package, for example, the substrate can be formed in an open package by vacuum formation, and heat can be provided to facilitate the process. The open package is then filled with the composition to be contained therein.

[0069] The full open package is then closed, which can be done by any method. And in some cases, such as in horizontal packet formation processes, closure is done by continuously feeding a second material or substrate, such as a water-soluble substrate, over and into the open bag network and then sealing the first substrate and second substrate together. In such a process, the first and second substrates are typically sealed in the area between the molds and thus between the package being formed in the adjacent molds. Sealing can be done by any method. Sealing methods include heat sealing, solvent welding, and solvent or wet sealing. The sealed networks of the package can then be cut by a cutting device, which cuts the package into each other's network, in a separate package. Method of Use

[0070] The water-soluble package of the present invention comprises a composition whose composition can be a fabric treatment composition or a fabric cleaning composition that can be used in a method for treating a fabric article. Depending on the composition contained in the water-soluble package, the method of treating a fabric article with the water-soluble package may comprise one or more steps selected from the group consisting of: (a) pre-treatment of the fabric article in a liquid formed by contacting the water-soluble package including a water pretreatment composition before washing the fabric article; (b) washing the fabric article with a washing liquid formed by contacting the water-soluble package including a water cleaning composition; (c) contacting the fabric article with the water-soluble package including a post-wash treatment composition after the fabric washing process; and (d) combinations of these.

[0071] In some embodiments, the method may comprise the step of selecting only a part of the water-soluble package for use in treating a fabric article. The desired portion or compartment of the water-soluble package can be cut and / or torn and placed on or adhered to the fabric or placed in water to form a relatively small amount of washing liquid which is then used to pre-treat or provide a post-wash treatment of fabrics for the fabric. In this way, the user can customize the tissue treatment method according to the task at hand. In some embodiments, at least a part of a water-soluble package can be applied to the fabric to be treated using a device such as a brush or sponge. In yet another embodiment, the water-soluble package can be applied directly to the fabric surface. Any one or more of the steps mentioned above can be repeated to achieve the desired tissue treatment benefit. Optional Ingredients: Disintegrants:

[0072] To improve the dissolution rate of the substrate, disintegrants are preferably applied on the surface of the water-soluble substrate or they can be applied integrated into the water-soluble substrate or any combination thereof, in order to accelerate the dissolution when the soluble substrate in water is immersed in water. Where present, the level of disintegrant is 0.1% to 30%, preferably 1% to 15% by weight of said water-soluble substrate. Any suitable disintegrant known in the art can be used. Preferred disintegrants for use here include corn / potato starch, methyl cellulose / celluloses, mineral clay powders, cross-linked cellulose, cross-linked polymer, cross-linked starch. Release Agents:

[0073] Suitable release agents include, but are not limited to, fatty acids and their salts, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, fatty amines, amine fatty acetates and fatty amides. The release agent can be incorporated into the water-soluble substrate in any suitable amount including amounts within the range of about 0.02% to about 1.5% by weight, or in the range of about 0.04% to about 0.15% by weight.

[0074] Other optional ingredients may also include suitable extenders, anti-blocking agents, adhesive removal agents include, among others: starches, modified starches, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, cross-linked cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and metal oxides. The extender, the anti-blocking agent and the adhesive removing agent can be present in the water-soluble substrate in any suitable amount including amounts in the range of about 0.1% to about 25% by weight, preferably in the range of about 1% to about 15% by weight. Composition included or contained in the water-soluble package

[0075] The composition in the water-soluble package can be any composition that is intended to be dosed directly preferably in a washing machine when the package dissolves or disintegrates. The composition can, for example, be a fabric treatment or fabric wash, surface care or dishwashing composition. Thus, for example, it can be a dishwashing composition, fabric softener, fabric wash or detergent, a rinse treatment composition, fabric conditioning composition or pre-treatment composition. The composition can be in any form and not limited to powder, granules, tablets, particulates or a combination thereof.

[0076] Suitable composition is generally packaged in quantities from 0.5 g to 100 g, preferably from 5 g to 100 g, especially from 15 g to 40 g. For example, a fabric washing composition can weigh from 0.5 g to 40 g, preferably from 15 g to 40 g. Most preferably, the amount of composition allows the user to unify the dose of the composition for each washing cycle of the washing machine or for the pre-treatment or rinse treatment of the textile.

[0077] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific embodiments and examples.

Examples Example 1: Water-soluble substrate having polyvinyl alcohol and surfactant

[0078] A water-soluble substrate according to the present invention was prepared by mixing the ingredients as revealed in Table 1 below in a silverson mixer and also nitrogen gas was purged to introduce gas bubbles. In the next step, the mixture obtained was melted on a casting belt having a wet film thickness of approximately 380 microns to 750 microns, after which the melt mixture was dried in an oven to provide a spool of film that had a final thickness approximately 75 micrometers to 200 micrometers.

Table 1. Composition of the water-soluble substrate. Ingredients Concentration (% by weight) Polyvinyl alcohol partially 64 hydrolyzed Polyethylene glycol 3.8 Glycerin 2.2 Sodium lauryl sulphate 0.45 Other ingredients 10 Total 100

[0079] It was found that the water-soluble substrate having the composition provided in table 1 that includes a surfactant (sodium lauryl sulfate) within the claimed ranges has stable gas bubbles dispersed in the structure and that it was also soluble in cold water at a temperature of 10 ° C. Example 2: Evaluation of water-soluble substrate having different types of surfactant and without surfactant.

[0080] A comparative water-soluble substrate (Ex A) was prepared by mixing the ingredients as revealed in Table 2 below in a silverson mixer with the incorporation of air with vigorous mixing to obtain a solution with a density of 0.67 grams / ml. In the next step, the mixture obtained was melted on a casting belt having a wet film thickness of 380 micrometers, after that, the molten mixture was dried in an oven to provide a spool of film. The water-soluble substrate obtained had a moisture content of 3.1% by weight.

[0081] A water-soluble substrate (Ex 2) according to the present invention was prepared by mixing the ingredients as revealed in Table 2 below in a silverson mixer and the obtained solution had a solution density of 0.69 grams / ml. In the next step, the mixture obtained was melted on a casting belt having a wet film thickness of 380 micrometers, after that, the molten mixture was dried in an oven to provide a spool of film. The water-soluble substrate obtained had a moisture content of 2.5% by weight.

[0082] The composition of the water-soluble substrate prepared as described above is provided in Table 2. The two water-soluble substrates were evaluated for heat sealing ability and film resistance, water solubility and details are provided in the Table 2.

Table 2 Ingredients Ex A (% by weight) Ex 2 (% by weight) Polyvinyl alcohol partially 69.3 76.5 hydrolyzed Polyethylene glycol (PEG-600) 3.8 3.8 Glycerin 2.2 2.2 Anionic surfactant (SLES 0 3.8 3EO) Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) 24.7 13.7 Resistance of the film poorly reasonable Heat sealing at 150 ° C Low, Good sealing, film seals and tears in the non-crumbling line.

seal. Brittle and crumbling film. Solubility in cold water at 5 ° C Completely Completely dissolved in 270 dissolved in 131 seconds seconds Bubble stability The bubble enters The bubble was stable collapse even after the immediately after stirring the stirring stopped. stopped. * Steol ®CS-370 by Stephan Company

[0083] The data in Table 2 shows on a comparable water-soluble substrate (Ex A) in which air was incorporated by vigorous mixing, the bubble structure started to collapse immediately after the agitation had stopped when compared to the soluble substrate in water according to the present invention (Ex 1) where the bubble remained stable for a longer time. The comparable water-soluble substrate (Ex A) was inferior in seal strength and film strength and took longer to completely dissolve in water at 5 ° C when compared to the water-soluble substrate according to the present invention.

Claims (15)

Claims 1. Water-soluble package for the retention of a unit dose composition, characterized by comprising a water-soluble substrate having a thickness of 30 micrometers to 250 micrometers, said substrate comprising: (i) a film forming material; and, (ii) 0.2% to 5% by weight of surfactant; wherein the substrate dispersed gas bubbles uniformly in it having an average diameter less than the total thickness of the substrate. 2. Package according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas bubbles have a total volume of 80% to 99% of the total volume of the substrate. 3. Package according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surfactant is an anionic or non-ionic surfactant. 4. Package, according to claim 3, characterized by the anionic surfactant being a sulfated surfactant. 5. Package according to claim 4, characterized in that the sulfated anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate. 6. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film-forming material is a polymer selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, modified polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose or mixtures thereof. Package according to claim 6, characterized in that the polymer has an average molecular weight of at least 1x105. Package according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the polymer is partially hydrolyzed having a degree of hydrolysis ranging from 60% to 99%. 9. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water-soluble substrate comprises a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of glycerol, glycerin, diglycerin, hydroxypropyl glycerin, sorbitol, methylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, neopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane, polyether polyols, ethanolamines and mixtures thereof. 10. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water-soluble substrate has a base weight in the range of 35 grams per square meter to 50 grams per square meter. 11. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amount of film forming material is 55% to 80% by weight of the water-soluble substrate. 12. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water-soluble substrate has a thickness of 75 micrometers to 150 micrometers. 13. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water-soluble substrate includes a composition or material in powder, granular or particulate tablet form. Package according to claim 13, characterized in that the composition is a dishwashing composition, fabric treatment composition or a fabric washing detergent composition. 15. Use of a water-soluble package, as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized by being for washing dishes or washing textiles.