ES2227251T3 - WATER SOLUBLE CONTAINERS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves forming open container made up of water soluble film. The container is then partially filled with aqueous or non-aqueous liquid comprising gas releasing components such as bleaching agent. After sealing, the container is inflated. The bleaching component of oxygen or chlorine type comprises a mixture of compounds which react in the presence of water to produce the gas. The gas which inflates the container is carbon dioxide. The container comprises disinfectant, anti-bacterial or antiseptic liquid. An independent claim is also included for the container.

Description

Water soluble containers.

The present invention relates to containers water-soluble inflation and a procedure for its preparation.

It is known to package chemical compositions that they can be dangerous or irritating in materials Water soluble or water dispersible as films. Packaging it can be simply added to water in order to dissolve or Disperse the contents of the container in the water.

For example, WO 89/12587 describes a package comprising a wrap of a water soluble material or water dispersible comprising a flexible wall and a seal of Water soluble or water dispersible heat. The container can contain an organic liquid comprising, for example, a pesticide, fungicide, insecticide or herbicide.

It is also known to pack detergents in water soluble or water dispersible containers. For example, him WO 94/14941 describes a capsule in water or dispersible in water containing an aqueous dishwashing detergent. The capsule It is made of jelly.

The document CA-A-1,112,534 describes a package made of a water soluble material in the form of a film that includes inside a paste-shaped detergent composition Compatible with automatic dishwashers. The soluble material in water can be, for example, polyvinyl alcohol, poly (ethylene oxide) or methyl cellulose. The example 1 illustrates an embodiment in which a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) in the form of a pack of 5 square centimeters heat sealing its edges, and the package is filled with a composition containing 8.5% by weight of Water.

It is also known to form soluble containers in water by thermoforming a water soluble material. By example, WO 92/17382 describes a package containing an agrochemical such as a pesticide that comprises a first sheet of non-flat water soluble or dispersible material in water and a second sheet of water soluble material or water dispersible superimposed on the first sheet and sealed to the same by means of a closed seal soluble in water or dispersible in water along a continuous area of the overlapping sheets. It is established that it is advantageous to ensure that the package produced is air draining or the contents are under reduced pressure to provide increased shock resistance.

In order to improve the resistance of containers containing liquids, it is also known to provide the container with a residual capacity of inflation. For example, EP-A-524,721 describes a water-soluble container that contains a liquid, where the container is inflatable to a volume that is greater than the volume Initial container. Therefore, the container is filled with less than its full capacity, and unused capacity may be partial but not fully filled with a gas like air. Capacity without use that does not contain gas provides the residual capacity of inflation

In fields such as detergents for use domestic, an attractive appearance is extremely desirable for an article. However, in the prior art, such as previously described, the packages do not have an appearance attractive For example, the containers described in WO 92/17382 are likely to have a non-uniform appearance because They are packaged under reduced pressure. When a bag forms to from a single sheet of water soluble film by folding the film and heat sealing the edges to form the bag, which It is then filled out, as described in the document CA-A-1,112,534, the product obtained it can be a fairly smooth flaccid envelope that contains the product. Again there is also a lack of uniformity between Different bags due to its flexible nature.

It has been discovered that such products do not It is considered to be attractive to an average consumer.

The present invention seeks to provide a water soluble container containing a composition, container It has a more attractive appearance. In particular, the container must be relatively self-supported and Stuffed appearance. Ideally, the container should have a Attractive rounded three-dimensional appearance.

The document EP-A-654.418 describes bags flexible self-maintenance that contains, for example, Liquid detergent compositions for filling other containers. The bags are cut open and the content is poured into the containers to be filled. Therefore, they are not soluble in Water. To prevent fouling of the bags, which can lead to cracking and filling losses, the bags are inflated by pumping air inside before they are sealed.

Surprisingly now a water soluble container containing a composition that has an attractive three-dimensional appearance ensuring that the Container is inflated after being sealed.

The present invention provides consequently a procedure to prepare a container water soluble inflation, comprising:

a) form an open container from a water soluble film;

b) at least partially fill the container with a composition comprising a component that releases a gas;

c) seal the container; Y

d) allow the container to inflate.

The present invention also provides a water soluble inflated container comprising a film water soluble that includes a liquid or solid composition and a gas, in which the gas is enriched with at least one component gas compared to air or comprises at least one Gaseous component that is not normally present in the air.

The initial stage (A) of the procedure of the invention comprises forming an open container from a water soluble film. A suitable water soluble film is a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) film.

The PVOH film may be partial or completely alcoholized or hydrolyzed, for example, can be a 40 to 100% polyvinyl acetate film, preferably 70 to 92%, more preferably approximately 88% to about 92% alcoholized or hydrolyzed. The degree of hydrolysis is known to exert an influence on temperature to which the PVOH begins to dissolve in water. A hydrolysis of 88% corresponds to a film soluble in cold water (i.e. room temperature) while a hydrolysis of 92% corresponds to a film soluble in warm water. An example of A preferred PVOH is ethoxylated PVOH. The movie can be extended, blown or extruded. It can also be unoriented, mono-axially oriented or bi-axially oriented.

The film can also comprise a derivative of cellulose as hydroxy-propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC). A suitable HPMC is, for example, M900 obtained from the company Enak Ltd.

The addition to the additive film is possible suitable as plasticizers, lubricants and dyes. Be they can also add components that modify the properties of the polymer. Plasticizers are generally used in a amount up to 35% by weight, for example 5 to 35% by weight, preferably 7 to 20% by weight, more preferably 10 to 15% in weigh. Lubricants are generally used in an amount of 0.5 to 5% by weight. Therefore, the polymer is generally used in an amount of 60 to 94.5% by weight, based on the total amount of the composition used to form the film. Plasticizers suitable are, for example, pentaerythritols such as dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, glycerin and glycols such as glycerol, ethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol. Solids can also be used as talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, zinc stearate or colloidal silica.

It is also possible to include one or more solids in particle shape in the films in order to accelerate the dissolution rate of the container. This solid can be also present in the contents of the container. The dissolution of solid in water is sufficient to cause an acceleration in the decomposition of the container, particularly if a gas is generated, when the physical agitation caused can result, for example, to virtually immediate release of content from the container. Examples of these solids are alkali metals or alkaline earths such as sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium, bicarbonate carbonate, together with an acid. The suitable acids are, for example, acidic substances that have carboxylic or sulphonic acid groups or their salts. Examples are cinnamic, tartaric, mandelic, fumaric, maleic acids, malic, palmitic, citric and naphthalene disulfonic.

The film is generally soluble in cold water (20ºC), but it can be insoluble in cold water at 20ºC and only makes it soluble in warm water or hot water that has a temperature, for example, of 30 ° C, 40 ° C, 50 ° C or even 60 ° C. This parameter is determined in the case of PVOH by its degree of hydrolysis.

It is particularly important to avoid small holes in the film through which leakage can occur of the composition contained. Therefore, it may be appropriate to use a stratified structure of two or more layers thereof film or a different one, since the small holes is Unlikely to match in two layers of material.

The open container can be shaped by any means For example, it can be shaped by thermoforming of a PVOH film to produce a sheet not flat that contains a package, such as a recession that is capable of retaining the composition. The package is usually joined by a  flange, which is preferably substantially flat. He Package may have internal barrier layers as described, by example, in WO 93/08095. Therefore, the container it can be formed, for example, by a procedure that is analogous to that described in WO 92/17382.

Alternatively, the container can be prepared by producing an open bag on top forming a film around a protruding mold and then sealing with Simultaneously heat the bottom and sides of the bag. Other methods can be used to seal, for example, infrared radiation, radiofrequency, ultrasonic, laser, solvents, vibration, electromagnetic waves, hot gases, hot plates, insertion joint, friction seal or friction welding. An adhesive such as water can also be used or an aqueous solution of PVOH. The adhesive can be applied to the spray film, transfer coating, roller coating or film can be passed to through a nebulization of the adhesive. The seal desirably is also soluble in water. This procedure is described, by example in the document EP-A-728,673.

Another method to form the open container is seal two films together on three sides of the package superimposing the films on each other and sealing them together as described in WO 95/23099.

When a single water soluble film, or if two films that are not thermoformed are used, the films generally have a thickness of 20 to 500 µm, especially 30 to 160 µm, preferably 40 to 120 µm, more preferably 50 to 100 µm.

When a first and second film are used water soluble to form the containers herein invention, the first film will generally have a thickness before of the thermoforming of 20 to 500 µm, especially 70 to 400 µm, for example 70 to 300 µm, most preferably 70 to 160 µm, especially 75 to 100 µm or 90 to 110 to 150 µm. The thickness of the second film may be less than that of the first movie, since the second movie will usually not be thermoforming, so there will be no thinning located of the sheet. The thickness of the second film will be generally from 20 to 150 µm or 160 µm, preferably from 40 at 50 or 90 or 100 µm, more preferably 50 to 80 µm. The films are chosen, if desired, so that they have the same thickness before the first film is thermoformed, or have the same thickness after the first film has been thermoforming, in order to provide a composition that is encapsulated by a substantially constant thickness of movie.

In step (b) the container is at least partially filled with a composition. The container can be completely filled or only partially filled, example, to leave an air gap of 2 to 20%, especially 5 at 10% of the volume of the container immediately after it is formed.

The nature of the composition is not limited. It can be, for example, a solid a liquid. If it's in the form of a solid may be, for example, in the form of a powder, granules, an extruded tablet, a compressed tablet or a gel solidified If it is in the form of a liquid, it can be optionally thickened or gelled with a thickening agent or gelling agent A phase or more than one may be present. By example, the container may be filled with a composition liquid and a separate solid composition, for example, in the form of a ball, pill or particles. Alternatively, they can be present two or more solid phases, or two or more liquid phases immiscible.

Therefore, the composition does not need to be uniform. For example, during processing, the container could be filled first with a decantable composition, for example, a gel and then with a different composition. Each of The compositions are independently watery. The first composition could slowly dissolve, for example, in a washing procedure, in order to supply it during a long period This can be useful, for example, to provide an immediate, delayed or sustained supply of a component As a softening agent.

If the water soluble container is soluble in cold water at room temperature (20ºC) or slightly above, it is important to ensure that the composition itself does not dissolve to the vessel In general, solid compositions will not attack the container, nor will the liquid organic compositions that contain less than about 5% water as described, by example, in WO 92/17382. If the composition is in the form of a liquid that contains more than about 5% by weight of water, action must be taken to ensure that the composition does not attack The walls of the container. Steps can be taken to treat inner surface of the film, for example, coating it with an agent such as PVdC (polyvinylidene dichloride) or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). A barrier can also be provided semi-permeable or partial aqueous such as polyethylene or polypropylene or a hydrogel as polyacrylate as a coating. The lining will simply be set apart or dissolve or disperse in the form of microscopic particles when The container dissolves in water. Stages can also be taken to adapt the composition to ensure that it does not dissolve the movie. For example, it has been found that ensuring that the composition has a high ionic strength or contains a agent that minimizes water loss through the walls of the container will prevent the composition from dissolving a film of PVOH from the inside. This is described in more detail in the EP-A-518,689 and WO 97/27743.

A component is added to the composition that release a gas. This component can be added separately or with The remaining components. Therefore, for example, the component, or one of the components of a gas release system multi-components, can be added first and then add the rest of the composition. Other possibility is that the components, or one of the components of a multi-component gas releasing system, can be added after the rest of the composition. It is possible too that all components be added together in a single composition.

The component that releases a gas can comprise, for example, a component or a mixture of two or more components that react in the presence of the contents of the container to Release a gas For example, when water is present in the composition, you can add two components that do not react when they are in solid form but react in the presence of water, such as an acid and a carbonate or bicarbonate. An example of a Suitable acid is citric acid. Examples of carbonates and Suitable bicarbonates are sodium and potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

Another possibility is that a component is added that is able to react with a component already present in the composition, contained in the container. For example, it can be present an acid in the compositions maintained within the container, and a carbonate or bicarbonate as described previously, later added. Alternatively, you can be present a bicarbonate carbonate in the composition and be subsequently added an acid.

In the previous cases, the component that will release a gas can be added in solid form in a solvent as water or an organic solvent. The release speed of Gas can be controlled. For example, a dust finally divided It will release the gas faster than a compressed tablet. Whether you want, the component can be encapsulated by means of a substance that delays the release of gas.

An additional possibility is to add a component to the composition that is a gas at room temperature (20 ° C) but which, at the moment it is added, is in the form of a solid or liquid because it has been cooled to less than its melting point or boiling. For example, carbon dioxide (ice can be added dry). As the component heats up to temperature environment, which can occur naturally or helped with heating, will boil or sublimate in the form of a gas. Another possibility is to add a compound that is thermally unstable; for example, sodium bicarbonate that will release dioxide of carbon when heated to approximately 60 ° C.

The component that releases a gas can be, for example, a component that gradually releases a gas such as a bleach, in particular an oxygen bleach or a chlorine bleach. These bleaches generally release a gas such as oxygen or chlorine that contains a compound when it comes in contact with water. The water may itself be contained in the composition, be contained in another compartment or diffuse through the dividing wall in the compartment that holds the bleach, or diffuse in the composition from outside the compartment.
container.

Any component or combination can be used of components that produce a gas. The gas must be non-toxic or be Produced in small quantities. However, the most convenient is to produce carbon dioxide gas since this will not cause environmental problems.

After the component that releases the gas has been added, for example, with the composition or to it, the container is sealed in step (c). If the component that releases a gas begins to release a gas immediately, as will happen Generally, the container should not be sealed immediately to ensure that at least part of the gas produced is retained in the container. Sealing can be carried out by any of the Means described above.

Thus, for example, if the container is in the form of a package formed from one or two sheets of film, the container can be sealed by sealing with heat or by any of the remaining sealing methods previously exposed. The films can be sealed together, for example, by heat sealing, through the flange. A suitable heat sealing temperature is, by for example, 120 to 195 ° C, for example, 140 to 150 ° C. A pressure of Proper sealing is, for example, 250 to 800 kPa. Examples of sealing pressures are 276 to 552 kPa, especially 345 to 483 kPa or 400 to 800 kPa, especially 500 to 700 kPa, depending on the used heat sealing machine. The hosting times of Suitable sealing is at least 0.4 seconds, for example, 0.4 to 2.5 seconds. Other sealing methods of the films together, for example, infrared radiation, radiofrequency, ultrasonic radiation, laser, solvents, vibration, electromagnetic waves, hot gases, plates hot, link by insertion, sealing activated or welding by points. An adhesive such as water or a solution can also be used. aqueous PVOH. The adhesive can be applied to the films by spray, transfer coating, coating by rollers or any other type of coating, or the films are they can pass through a nebulization of the adhesive. He Seal desirably is also soluble in water. The second movie may comprise, for example, PVOH.

If more than one container is formed at the same time, the packaged compositions can then be separated from others. Alternatively, they can be left together and, for example, provide perforations between individual containers of so that they can be easily separated at a later stage, for example, by a consumer. If the containers are separated, Flanges can be left in place. However, desirably the flanges are partially removed in order to provide a three-dimensional appearance even more attractive. Usually, the flange that remains should be as small as possible to aesthetic purposes, while taking into account that requires some of the flange to ensure that the two films They remain attached to each other. A flange of one mm is desirable to 10 mm, preferably 2 mm to 7 mm, more preferably 4 mm to 6 mm, most preferably approximately 5 mm.

The containers are then allowed to inflate on stage (d). The containers can be allowed to inflate, by example, at rest, or they can be packed in boxes for sale retail, and allow them to inflate in the boxes. The containers can be packaged themselves in containers external if desired, for example, non-water soluble containers which are removed before the soluble containers are used in Water.

The containers of the present invention they generally contain 5 to 100 g of composition, as a aqueous composition, especially 15 to 40 g, depending on its Expected use. For example, a dishwasher composition can weigh from 15 to 20 g, an aqueous softening composition may weigh 25 to 35 g and a laundry composition can weigh from 10 to 40 g, especially 20 to 30 g or 30 to 40 g.

The containers can have any shape. By example, they can take the form of a wrap, bag, sphere, cylinder, cube or cuboid, that is, a rectangular parallelepiped whose faces are not all the same. In general, as the containers they are not rigid and inflated, the sides are not flat, but They are convex. If the container is formed from a film  thermoforming and a flat film, the union between the two films will appear closer to a face of the container than the other. Apart from the deformation of the container due to the generation of gas, deformation can also occur at the stage of elaboration if desired. For example, if the package is filled with a gelled composition having a height greater than the of the package, the second film will be deformed when placed On top of the package.

In general, the maximum dimension of the part Filling the container (excluding any of the flanges) is 5 cm. For example, a rounded cuboid container may have a length of 1 to 5 cm, especially 3.5 to 4.5 cm, a width of 1.5 to 3.5 cm, especially 2 to 3 cm and a height of 1 to 2.5 cm, especially 1 to 2 cm, for example, 1.25 to 1.75 cm.

The composition that refills the containers does not It is particularly limited. It can be any composition that will be added to an aqueous system or used in an environment aqueous. Suitable compositions are compositions for the fabric care, surface and dishwasher care. By example, the composition may comprise a composition of dishwasher, water softener, laundry or detergent or a rinse aid. In this case, it is especially suitable for a use in a domestic washing machine as a washing machine of clothes or a dishwasher. The container can comprise also a disinfectant, antibacterial or antiseptic composition intended to be diluted with water before use, or a concentrated filling composition, for example, for a actuator type spray used in domestic situations. This composition can simply be added to the water already maintained. in the spray container. Examples of compositions for surface care are those used to clean, treat or polish a surface. Suitable surfaces are, for example, domestic surfaces, such as countertops, as well as surfaces of sanitary ware such as sinks, bathtubs and toilets.

Examples of anionic surfactants are straight or branched chain alkyl sulfates and polyalkoxylated alkyl sulfates, also known as alkyl ether sulfates. These surfactants they can be produced by sulfating fatty alcohols C_ {8} -C_ {20} higher.

Examples of surfactants of Primary alkyl sulfates are those of the formula:

ROSO_ {3} {} - M +}

in which R is a group linear C 8 -C 20 hydrocarbyl and M is a water solubilizing cation. Preferably, R is alkyl C_ {10} -C_ {16}, for example C 12 -C 14 and M is an alkali metal like lithium, sodium or potassium.

Examples of surfactants of secondary alkyl sulfates are those that have the sulfate residue in a "main chain" of the molecule, by example, those of formula:

CH_ {2} (CH 2) n (CHOSO 3 {} - M +) (CH 2) m CH 3

in which m and n are independently 2 or more, being usually the sum of m + n of 6 to 20, for example 9 to 15 and M is a water solubilizing cation like lithium, sodium or potassium.

Secondary alkyl sulfates Especially preferred are the surfactants of (2,3) alkyl sulfates of formulas:

CH_ {2} (CH 2) x (CHOSO 3) - M +) CH 3 Y

CH_ {2} (CH 2) x (CHOSO 3) - M +) CH 2 CH 3

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 a cation, such as an alkali metal, for example, lithium, sodium or potassium.

Examples of alkyl sulfates alkoxylated are the ethoxylated alkyl sulfates of formula:

RO (C 2 H 4 O) m SO_ {3} {} - {M +}

in which R is an alkyl group C 8 -C 20, preferably C_ {10} -C_ {18} as C_ {12} -C_ {16}, n is at least 1, for example 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15, especially 1 to 6 and M is a cation salt former such as lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium or alkanolammonium. These compounds can provide advantages in the cleaning performance of especially desirable fabrics when they are used in combination with alkyl sulfates.

Alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates will generally be used in the form of mixtures comprising alkyl chain lengths variables and, if present, varying degrees of alkoxylation.

Other anionic surfactants that may be used are salts of fatty acids, for example, fatty acids of C 8 -C 18, especially sodium salts, potassium or alkanolammonium and alkyl- (for example, C 8 -C 18) -benzene sulphonates.

Examples of nonionic surfactants are fatty acid alkoxylates such as fatty acid ethoxylates, especially those of formula:

R (C 2 H 4 O) n OH

in which R is an alkyl group C 8 -C 16 linear or branched, preferably a C 9 -C 15 alkyl group, for example C_ {10} -C_ {14} or C_ {12} -C_ {14} and n is at least 1, for example of 1 to 16, preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 3 to 10.

The nonionic fatty alcohol surfactant alkoxylated will frequently have a balance hydrophilic-lipophilic (HLB) that varies in the range from 3 to 17, more preferably from 6 to 15, most preferably from 10 to 15

Examples of fatty alcohol ethoxylates are those prepared from alcohols with 12 to 15 carbon atoms and containing about 7 moles of ethylene oxide. These Materials are distributed in trade under the brands Registered Neodol 25-7 and Neodol 23-6.5 by Shell Chemical Company. Others Useful neodols include Neodol 1-5, an alcohol ethoxylated fatty acid with an average of 11 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; Neodol 23-9, an alcohol C_ {12} -C_ {13} ethoxylated primary that has about 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and Neodol 91-10, a primary alcohol C_ {9} -C_ {11} ethoxylated which has approximately 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

The ethoxylates of alcohols of this type have been also marketed by Shell Chemical Company under the registered trademark Dobanol. Dobanol 91-5 is a C9-C11 ethoxylated fatty alcohol with a average of 5 moles of ethylene oxide and Dobanol 25-7 is a fatty alcohol C_ {12} -C_ {15} ethoxylated with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.

Other examples of nonionic surfactants of Suitable ethoxylated alcohols include Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-S-9, which are the two ethoxylates of linear secondary alcohols available at Union Carbide Corporation. The Tergitol 15-S-7 is an ethoxylated product mixed of a linear secondary alkanol of C 11 -C 15 with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and Tergitol 15-S-9 is the same but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.

Other ethoxylated nonionic surfactants of Suitable alcohols are Neodol 45-11, which is similar to condensation products of ethylene oxide and alcohols fatty that have 14-15 carbon atoms and the Number of ethylene oxide groups per mole is approximately 11. These products are also available in the Shell company Chemical Company

Other nonionic surfactants are, for example, (C 10 -C 18) alkyl-polyglycosides, how (C 12 -C 16) alkyl - polyglycosides, especially polyglycosides. These are especially useful. when highly foaming compositions are desired. Other surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, as N- (3-methoxypropyl) glycosides C 10 -C 18 and oxide block polymers of ethylene-propylene oxide of the Pluronic type.

Examples of cationic surfactants are those of type of quaternary ammonium.

Examples of amphoteric surfactants are oxides of C 10 -C 18 amines and betaines and C 12 -C 18 sulfobetains.

The total surfactant content in the composition is desirably 0.1 to 95% by weight, especially 60 or 75 to 90% by weight. The total surfactant content in a Laundry or detergent composition is desirably 60 to 95% in weight, especially 70 to 90% by weight. Desirably, especially in a laundry composition, an anionic surfactant is present in an amount of 50 to 75% by weight, a surfactant not ionic is present in an amount of 5 to 20% by weight, a cationic surfactant is present in an amount of 0 to 10% in weight and / or an amphoteric surfactant is present in an amount of 0 at 10% by weight. Desirably, in a dishwasher composition, the anionic surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1 to 50% in weight, a nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of 0.5 to 20% by weight and / or a cationic surfactant is present in an amount of 1 to 15% by weight. These amounts are based on the total solids content of the composition, that is, excluded any water or solvent that may be present.

The compositions, particularly when used as laundry or dishwashing compositions, they can also include enzymes, such as protease, lipase, amylase enzymes, cellulase and peroxidase. These enzymes are available in the trade and distributed, for example, under registered trademarks Wait, Alcalase, Savinase, Termanyl, Lipolase and Celluzyme for the Novo Industries A / S and Maxatasc company by the International company Biosynthetics, Inc. Desirably, enzymes are present in the composition in an amount of 0.5 to 3% by weight, especially 1 to 2% by weight

The compositions, if desired, may comprise a thickening agent or a gelling agent. Thickeners suitable are polyacrylate polymers such as those marketed under the CARBOPOL trademark, or the ACUSOL trademark of Rohm and Haas Company. Other suitable thickeners are xanthan gums. The thickener, if present, is present generally in an amount of 0.2 to 4% by weight, especially 0.5 at 2% by weight.

The dishwasher compositions comprise usually a detergency builder. The improvers of the Suitable detergents are phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polyphosphonates, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, polyhydroxysulfonates, polyacetates, carboxylates and polycarboxylates, such as citrates, of alkali metals or ammonium. He detergency builder is desirably present in a amount up to 90% by weight, preferably 15 to 90% by weight, more preferably 15 to 75% by weight, relative to the total content of the composition. Additional details of suitable components are provide, for example, in documents EP-A-694.059, EP-A-518,720 and WO 99/06522.

The compositions may also comprise optionally one or more additional ingredients. These include conventional components of detergent compositions such as additional surfactants, bleaching agents, bleaching, detergency builders, flattering foaming or foaming suppressants, agents anti-stain and anti-corrosion, organic solvents, co-solvents, phase stabilizers, emulsifying agents, preservatives, soil suspending agents, soil suppressing agents dirt, germicides, phosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate or potassium tripolyphosphate, pH adjusting agents or buffers, alkalinity sources not detergency builders, agents chelators, clays such as smectic clays, stabilizers enzymes, lime anti-deposit agents, materials colored, dyes, hydrotropes, agents inhibiting the transfer of dyes, brighteners and perfumes. Whether use, these optional ingredients will generally constitute no more 10% by weight, for example, 1 to 6% by weight of the total weight of The compositions.

Detergency builders counteract the effects of calcium or other water hardness ions found while using laundry or laundering Compositions of the present invention. Examples of these Materials are citrate salts, succinate, malonate, carboxymethyl succinate, carboxylate, polycarboxylate and polyacetyl carboxylate, by example, with alkali metal or metal cations alkaline earth, or the corresponding acids free. Specific examples are sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxidisuccinic acid, melitic acid, acids benzene-polycarboxylic, fatty acids of C 10 -C 22 and citric acid. Other examples they are organic phosphonate type sequestering agents such as marketed by the company Monsanto under the registered trademark Dequest and alkylhydroxy phosphonates. Are preferred citrate salts and fatty acid soaps of C_ {12} -C_ {18}.

Other suitable detergency builders are polymers and copolymers that are known to have properties detergency builders. For example, these materials include poly (acrylic acid), poly (maleic acid) and copolymers Appropriate polyacrylic / polymaleic acids and their salts, such as marketed by the BASF company under the registered trademark Sokalan

Detergency builders constitute generally from 0 to 3% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 1% in weight of the weight of the compositions.

Compositions comprising an enzyme may optionally contain materials that maintain the enzyme stability These enzyme stabilizers include, for example, polyols such as polypropylene glycol, acid boric and borax. Combinations of these can also be used. enzyme stabilizers. If used, the stabilizers of Enzymes generally constitute 0.1 to 1% by weight of the compositions Examples of bleach are, for example, the cited in WO 99/06522. These include agents bleaches that release oxygen as a source of peroxide from hydrogen and a peroxyacid bleaching precursor compound organic or a previously formed organic peroxyacid. Examples of Sources of hydrogen peroxide are bleaches of perhydrates inorganic as the alkali metal salts of perborate, percarbonate, perfosphate, persulfate and persilicates. Examples of organic peroxyacid bleaching precursors are those cited in  WO 99/06522. The bleaches also include chlorine releasing agents such as hydantoins, for example, 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin,  hypochlorites such as sodium hypochlorite or dichloroisocyanurates such as sodium dichloroisocyanurate.

The compositions may optionally comprise materials that serve as phase stabilizers and / or co-solvents Examples thereof are C 1 -C 3 alcohols or diols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and 1,2-propanediol. Can be used also C 1 -C 3 alkanolamines as mono-, di- and tri-ethanolamines and monoisopropanolamine, by themselves or in combination with alcohols. Stabilizers of phases and / or co-solvents may constitute, by example, 0 to 1% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of the composition.

If the composition is in liquid form, it can be anhydrous or, for example, may contain up to 5% by weight of Water. Aqueous compositions generally contain more than 8% in water weight based on the weight of the aqueous composition. Desirably, the aqueous compositions contain more than 10% in weight, 15% by weight, 20% by weight, 25% by weight or 30% by weight of water, but desirably less than 80% by weight of water, more desirably less than 70% by weight, 60% by weight, 50% by weight or 40% by weight of Water. For example, they may contain 30 to 55 or 65% by weight of Water.

The compositions may optionally comprise components that adjust or maintain the pH of the compositions a optimal levels Examples of agents for adjusting the pH are NaOH and citric acid. The pH can be, for example, from 1 to 13, such as 8 to 11, depending on the nature of the composition. For example, a dishwashing composition desirably has a pH of 8 to 11, a laundry composition desirably has a pH of 7 to 9 and an aqueous softener composition desirably has a pH of 7 to 9. The present invention will be explained in detail below in The following examples.

Example 1

A dishwasher composition was prepared by mixing jointly the following components in the proportions in indicated weight:

Tripolyphosphate Powder potassium 12% Tripolyphosphate Powder sodium 30% Isothiazolinone 0.1% Thickener polyacrylate (Carbopol) one% Surfactant nonionic 0.5% Citrate of sodium 10% Acid citric 0.2% Baking soda sodium 0.2% Water de-hardened 46%

A Multivax thermoforming machine that it worked at 6 cycles / minute and in ambient conditions of 25ºC and 35% RH (relative humidity) (± 5% RH) was used for thermoforming of a PVOH film. This was Monosll M8534 obtained from the company Chris Craft Inc., Gary, Indiana, USA, which it had a degree of hydrolysis of 88% and a thickness of 100 µm. The PVOH film was thermoformed in the form of a mold rectangular 39 mm long, 29 mm wide and 16 mm wide depth, at which the bottom edges were rounded up to a radius of 10 mm, at 115-118 ° C. Package like that formed was filled with 10 ml of dishwasher composition, and was placed a 75 µm thick Manosol M8534 PVOH film on the top and heat sealed at 144-148 ° C. The containers thus produced were separated from each other by cutting The flanges. Each container reached a rounded appearance due to the generation of carbon dioxide gas.

Example 2

The following formulations were prepared mixing together the components indicated in the indicated proportions by weight. In all cases the compositions were introduced into the containers following the procedure described in Example 1, and the containers that they had an attractive rounded appearance were obtained after that carbon dioxide was generated.

A laundry detergent composition

Carbonate sodium twenty% Ethoxylate nonylphenol 10% Accusol 820 obtained from the Rohm company and Haas Company 3.3% Citrate of sodium 5% Acid citric 0.2% Baking soda sodium 0.2% Water de-hardened 61.3%

An automatic dishwashing detergent

Citrate of sodium 8% Van Gel ES thickener obtained from the company R.T. Vanderbilt Company 4% Pyrophosphate tetrapotasio 10% Tripolyphosphate sodium 30%

Sodium metasilicate anhydrous 2% Xylene Sulfoanto from sodium 2.25% Deceth-4-phosphate 0.75% Acid citric 0.2% Baking soda sodium 0.2% Water de-hardened 42.6%

An energetic suspension-type laundry liquid

Linear alcohol C 12-15 Neodol 25-7 18% Alkylbenzenesulfonate sodium biosoft D-62 5.5% Carbonate sodium 2% Sodium metasilicate anhydrous 5% Pyrophosphate tetrasodium twenty% Citrate of sodium 7.5% Polymer Carbopol ETDZ691 obtained from the company Goodrich 0.5% Acid citric 0.2% Baking soda sodium 0.2% Water de-hardened 41.1%

Laundry type laundry detergent

Carbonate sodium 40% Citrate of sodium 4.8% Accusol 820 obtained from the Rohm and Hass company 2% Accusol 810 obtained from the company Rohm and Hass 5% Tripolyphosphate sodium 10% Accusol 445 obtained from the Rohm and Hass company 2% Ethoxylate nonylphenol 10% Acid citric 0.25% Baking soda sodium 0.25% Water de-hardened 26.7%

A dishwasher composition

Accusol 810 eleven% Accusol 445N 4% Tripolyphosphate sodium twenty% Pyrophosphate tetrapotasio 10% Silicate potassium 29% Triton alkylamine ethoxylate CF-32 3% Citrate of potassium 5% Acid citric 0.25% Baking soda sodium 0.25% Water de-hardened 17.4%

Claims (42)

1. A water soluble inflated vessel, which comprises a water soluble film that includes a composition liquid or solid and a gas, in which the gas is enriched with the less a gaseous component compared to air or comprises at least one gaseous component that is not normally present in the air. 2. A container according to claim 1, in the that the gaseous component is carbon dioxide. 3. A container according to claim 1, in the that the gaseous component is oxygen or a component that contains chlorine. 4. A container according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the water soluble film is a polyvinyl alcohol film. 5. A container according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the water soluble film has been thermoformed to form a package and the package has been sealed by placing a second water soluble film on the package and jointly sealing the films. 6. A container according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the water soluble film has been thermoformed 7. A container according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the composition is a composition for fabric care, surface care or dishwasher. 8. A container according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition is a composition dishwasher, water softener, laundry or detergent or is a rinse aid. 9. A container according to claim 8, which It is suitable for use in a domestic washing machine. 10. A container according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the composition is a composition disinfectant76, antibacterial or antiseptic. 11. A container according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the composition is a composition of filling for a trigger type spray. 12. A container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the gas is released from the solid or liquid composition. 13. A container according to claim 12, in which the composition is a solid. 14. A container according to claim 13, in which the solid composition is a finely divided powder or a compressed pill 15. A container according to any of the claims 12 to 14, wherein the solid composition is a bleach. 16. A container according to claim 15, in which the bleach is an oxygen or chlorine bleach. 17. A container according to any of the claims 12 to 16, wherein the solid composition is encapsulated by a substance that delays the release of gas. 18. A procedure to produce a container water soluble inflation, comprising: a) form an open container from a water soluble film; b) at least partially fill the container with a composition comprising a component that releases a gas; c) seal the container; Y d) allow the container to inflate. 19. A method according to claim 18, in which the container is at least partially filled with a composition and subsequently a component that releases a gas. 20. A method according to claim 18, in which the container is filled with a composition that It comprises a component that releases a gas in a single stage. 21. A procedure according to any one of the claims 18 to 20, wherein step (a) comprises the thermoforming of the film to produce a package. 22. A method according to claim 21, in which step (c) comprises placing a second film Water soluble on top of the refilled and sealed package jointly the movies. 23. A procedure according to any one of the claims 18-22, wherein the film Water soluble is a poly (alcohol film) vinyl). 24. A procedure according to any one of the claims 18 to 23, wherein the composition in step (b) It is an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid. 25. A method according to claim 24, in which the aqueous liquid contains more than 8% by weight of water based on the total weight of the aqueous liquid and a component that It releases a gas. 26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the component that releases a gas comprises a mixture of compounds that react in the presence of water to produce the gas. 27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the component that releases a gas comprises a compound that reacts with a compound in the aqueous liquid to produce the gas. 28. A method according to claim 27, in which the component that releases a gas is a bleach. 29. A method according to claim 18, in which the component that releases a gas is a component that is a gas at room temperature (20ºC) but which is added in the stage (b) in the form of a cooled solid or liquid. 30. A procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 29, wherein the gas that inflates the container It is carbon dioxide. 31. A procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 30, wherein the container is at least partially filled with a composition for the care of fabrics, surface care or dishwasher. 32. A procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 31, wherein the container is at least partially filled with a dishwasher composition, of water softener, laundry or detergent or adjuvant cleared up. 33. A method according to claim 32, in which the container is suitable for use in a machine domestic washing machine 34. A procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 30, wherein the container is at least partially filled with a disinfectant composition, antibacterial or antiseptic. 35. A procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 30, wherein the container is at least partially filled with a filling composition for a trigger type spray. 36. A procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 35, wherein the component that releases the gas It is a solid. 37. A method according to claim 36, wherein the solid composition is a finely divided powder or a compressed pill 38. A method according to claim 36 or 37, in which the component that releases a gas is encapsulated by a substance that delays the release of gas. 39. A method according to claim 28, in which the bleach is an oxygen bleach. 40. A procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 39, wherein the gas released is oxygen. 41. A method according to claim 28, in which the bleach is a chlorine bleach. 42. A procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 39, wherein the gas released is chlorine.