ES2240545T5 - Detergent methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A product for machine dishwashing in the form of a water-soluble bag comprising a plurality of compartments in generally superimposed relationship, each containing one or more detergent active components or auxiliary components, wherein the bag has a first compartment that It comprises a liquid composition and a second compartment comprising a powder composition in which the weight ratio between the liquid and solid composition is from 1:30 to 30: 1 and wherein the bag has a volume of 5 to 70 ml and a longitudinal / transverse dimensional ratio in the range of 2: 1 to 1: 8, preferably 1: 1 to 1: 4.

Description

Detergent methods

Technical field

The present invention is in the field of dishwashing, in particular it is related to the use of a water-soluble multicompartmental bag adapted so that it can be introduced into the dishwasher dispenser and supply the product in the prewash, main wash and / or post-rinse of the dishwasher. The bag contains a cleaning composition that is released when the bag dissolves.

Background of the invention

Some consumers have observed that the unit doses of dishwashing detergent are more attractive and comfortable because they avoid the need for the consumer to measure the product, thus giving rise to a more precise dosage and avoiding waste of overdosing or insufficient dosage. For this reason, automatic dishwashing detergent products have become very popular. Bag-shaped detergent products are also known in the art, they also have the advantage over the tablets of avoiding contact of the consumer's fingers with the dishwashing composition that may contain bleach and / or other irritating substances.

The automatic dishwashing process usually involves an initial prewash cycle, a main wash cycle and several rinse cycles. Better results are obtained when the detergent is released at the beginning of the main wash cycle than when the detergent is released in the prewash cycle since it can be lost with the initial water. In washing machines for washing clothes, the detergent can be placed in the drum or in the dispenser, however, in the dishwashers, the detergent is usually released in the main wash by means of the dispenser to avoid premature dissolution in the prewash. The amount of detergent is therefore limited by the volume of the dispenser. The dispensers vary in volume and shape between different manufacturers. In the case of loose detergent (i.e. powders, paste and liquids), the volume of the dispenser is a decisive factor. In the case of unit dose forms, such as a pill, the geometry and shape of the dispenser also play a very important role.

The tablets can be designed to have a size and shape that suits all dishwashers. One of the disadvantages of detergent tablets is the fact that their manufacturing process requires the additional stage of powder compaction. This stage reduces the enzymatic activity and slows the dissolution rate of the ingredients that make up the tablet, either requires the use of complex and expensive disintegrating systems or makes it difficult to achieve differential dissolution of the active ingredients of the detergent.

Some detergent ingredients used in dishwashing detergent compositions are liquids. It may be difficult or expensive to include these liquid ingredients in a solid detergent composition. Therefore, certain ingredients are preferably transported and supplied to detergent manufacturers in liquid form, requiring additional and sometimes expensive processing steps to be able to include them in a solid detergent composition. An example of these detergent ingredients is the surfactant, especially the non-ionic surfactant, which is typically liquid at room temperature or is typically transported and supplied to detergent manufacturers in liquid form. Another example is organic solvents.

Current methods for incorporating liquid ingredients into solid detergent compositions include the absorption of the liquid ingredient in a solid vehicle, for example, by mixing, agglomeration or spraying techniques. Typically, solid detergent compositions comprise only small amounts of these liquid detergent ingredients due to the difficulty and cost of incorporating these liquid ingredients into a solid detergent. In addition, the incorporation of liquid ingredients in the solid detergent compositions may affect the dissolution characteristics of the composition (for example, as a consequence of the formation of the surfactant gel phases), it can increase the moisture absorption by the sensitive ingredients. to water and can also cause fluidity problems. It would be advantageous to have a detergent composition that would allow the different ingredients to be in their natural state, that is, liquid or solid. This would facilitate the manufacturing process, increase the stability of the component and also allow the release of liquid ingredients before or after the release of solid ingredients. For example, the differential dissolution of the active ingredients would be beneficial in the case of enzyme / bleach compositions to prevent oxidation of the enzymes by the bleach in the dishwashing solution. It would also be advantageous to separate the bleach from the perfume.

Another factor that can contribute to the ineffective release of active substances to the wash solution, in the case of tablets, is the need to add carrier materials, such as porous materials capable of joining active liquid materials, binders and disintegrants. . In particular, the incorporation of surfactant liquids into the detergent compositions in powder form can cause considerable processing difficulties and also the problem of poor dissolution due to the formation of gel surfactant phases.

There is still a need for a multicompartmental unit dose form capable of adapting to dispensers of different types of dishwashers and allowing simultaneous release of incompatible ingredients and ingredients in different physical forms. There is also a need for a simplified manufacturing process for the production of a multi-compartment bag and for the production of multi-compartment bags with improved strength, handling and dissolution characteristics, as well as excellent aesthetics.

Multicompartmental bags are already known in the art, see, for example EP-A-0414462, EP-A0593952 and WO-A-0183669.

The most common procedure for the production of water-soluble bags with products, such as cleaning products, is the filling-sealing process in vertical mold. Through this, a vertical tube is formed by folding a film. The lower end of the tube is sealed forming an open bag. This bag is partially filled leaving a space in the head whereby the upper part of the open bag is subsequently sealed together to close the bag and give rise to the next open bag. The first bag is cut later and the process is repeated. Bags formed in this way are usually shaped like a pillow.

A second known procedure for the production of bags is through the use of a matrix having a series of molds and shaping from a film of open bags in these molds, which are then filled and sealed. This method uses the film-shaped material more efficiently and the process has more flexibility in terms of bag forms and ingredients used. However, the process has a limited suitability for industrial application, because it cannot produce large quantities of bags (per unit of time) in an easy and efficient way.

A third proposed process is the formation of bags in the molds present on the surface of a circular drum. Through this process, a film is circulated through the drum and the bags are formed, which pass under a filling machine filling the open bags. Filling and sealing must take place at the highest (upper) point of the circle described by the drum. p. eg, typically, filling is done just before the rotating drum starts the circular motion down and sealing just after the drum starts moving down.

A problem associated with the vertical filling machine is that the process is not very effective: the process is intermittent and very slow, for example due to changes in the process speed between one stage and the next, and each stage of bag formation typically produces only one row of bags in one dimension; Thus, only a limited number of bags can be formed per minute. In addition, large amounts of film are used per dose of product because the method does not allow for complete filling of the bags and there is a considerable seal along the vertical dimension of each bag and the method does not allow the film to be stretched. In addition, there is not much flexibility in the shapes of the bags formed.

The problems associated with the second procedure that uses a matrix with molds also include the fact that the process is intermittent (or an indexing process) and that the process is slow and implies acceleration and deceleration, which reduce the overall speed and also , causes spillage of the product from open bags. Therefore, the performance of this process is not very high (per unit of time).

The circular drum process overcomes some of the disadvantages of these procedures because it does not involve speed changes (no acceleration / deceleration) and can easily provide bags arranged in two dimensions and allows the shape of the bags to be varied to some extent. However, the spillage from the bags can be quite important, due to the circular movement, which causes the product to be poured into the sealing area and this causes problems with the sealing (leaking joints). Therefore, the process does not allow the bags to fill completely because the spill is more than a problem. Thus, this procedure has even more important problems when used for liquid products, which are more likely to cause a major spill due to circular motion. In addition, filling and sealing has to be done around the highest point of the circular travel of the drum, thus greatly reducing the overall speed and performance of the bag formation process.

All known processes are also primarily designed to manufacture bags with a single compartment. There is still a need for a process for manufacturing water-soluble multicompartmental bags that solve the aforementioned problems, namely a continuous process with a rapid production speed and that minimizes the amount of film used for each bag. There is also a need for a manufacturing process of water-soluble multicompartmental bags with improved strength and adapted for use in the automatic dishwasher.

Summary of the invention

In one embodiment, the bag comprises generally opposite upper and lower outer walls, edge-like side walls, forming the sides of the bag and one or more internal partition walls, separating different compartments from each other and in which each of the upper and lower outer walls and the side as an edge are formed by thermoforming, vacuum forming or a combination thereof.

Therefore, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method according to claim 1 which uses a product for machine dishwashing in the form of a water soluble bag comprising a plurality of compartments in generally superimposed ratio containing each compartment one or more detergent active substances or auxiliary components wherein the bag has a first compartment comprising a liquid composition comprising a non-ionic surfactant and a second compartment comprising a powder composition wherein the weight ratio between the liquid composition and the solid one is from

1:30 to 30: 1 wherein the bag comprises generally opposite upper and lower outer walls, an edge-like side wall and one or more internal partition walls and where each of said upper and lower outer walls and the wall Edge-like sides are formed by thermoforming, vacuum shaping or a combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment each internal partition wall of the water-soluble multicompartmental bag is fixed to an outer or side wall of the bag along a single joint line or to both the outer wall and the side wall of the bag along a plurality of joint lines that at least partially do not overlap. Preferably each partition wall is joined to one or more outer or side walls by heat sealing or solvent sealing.

In especially preferred embodiments at least one internal partition wall of the multi-compartment bag is fixed to an upper or lower outer wall along a first continuous joint line and one or both of said outer walls and said partition wall are fixed to the side wall as an edge along a second continuous joint line and where the joint lines in the case of heat sealing are essentially non-overlapping and in the case of solvent sealing, at least partially they are not overlapping.

Non-overlapping joint lines are especially advantageous in the case of multicompartmental bags manufactured by a procedure that involves several non-simultaneous heat sealing stages. Without attempting to impose any theory, it is believed that the sealing mechanism involves the stage of evaporation of water from the film, therefore it is very difficult to achieve a good superimposed sealing unless two joints are formed simultaneously. Heat sealing is preferred in cases where the bags are filled with water sensitive components. Solvent sealing can reduce the cost of processing, can strengthen joints and can speed up the process. The partially non-overlapping joints allow the superposition of a plurality of compartments of different sizes.

Preferably, at least one internal partition wall of the multi-compartment bag is attached to the upper outer wall along a first joint line that defines the waistline of the wall as an edge and where the second non-overlapped joint or at least partially not superimposed, it is preferably below inward to the joint line that defines the waistline in the direction of the lower outer wall. The side wall as an edge is also slightly gathered or gathered in the final bag to provide a mattress-like appearance.

Therefore, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method according to claim 6 which uses a product for machine dishwashing in the form of a water-soluble bag comprising a plurality of compartments in generally superimposed relationship, containing each compartment one or more detergent active components, wherein the bag has a first compartment comprising a liquid composition and a second compartment comprising a powder composition, wherein the weight ratio between the liquid and solid composition is 1:30 at 30: 1, wherein the bag comprises generally opposite upper and lower outer walls, an edge-like side wall and one or more internal partition walls, wherein at least one internal partition wall is fixed to an upper outer wall or less along a first joint line and one or both of said exterior walls and said partition wall they are fixed to the side wall by way of an edge along a second joint line and where the joint lines are at least partially overlapping.

At least one of the plurality of compartments of the water-soluble bag comprises a powder composition or densified powder composition. The powder composition normally comprises traditional solid materials that are used in the dishwashing detergent, such as detergency builders, alkalinity sources, enzymes, bleach, etc. The powder composition may be in the form of dry powder, hydrated powder, agglomerates, encapsulated materials, extrudates, tablets or mixtures thereof. It is also useful to have water-soluble bags with several compartments comprising different powder compositions, usually compositions in different compartments comprising active substances or incompatible active substances that need to be released at different times during the dishwashing process. It is advantageous to have bleach and enzymes in different compartments.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the powder compartments comprises particulate bleach. The bleach is preferably selected from inorganic peroxides including perborates and percarbonates, organic peracids including pre-formed monoperoxy carboxylic acids, such as phthaloyl amido peroxy hexanoic acid and diacyl peroxides.

In the case of powder compositions, a differential solution can be obtained, for example, by varying the degree of compression of dust and / or particle size of the powder compositions in the same or in different compartments. Another way of obtaining the differential solution is to use water soluble films of different thickness or of different solubility percentage under conditions of use. The solubility of the film can be controlled by, for example, pH, temperature, ionic strength or by any other means. In the processes in which the phase or sequential release of the active detergent substances is to be achieved, it is preferred that each of the compartments of the bag has a different disintegration percentage or dissolution profile under conditions of use.

At least one of the plurality of compartments of the water-soluble bag comprises a liquid composition. The liquid compositions comprise traditional liquid materials used in dishwashing detergents, such as non-ionic surfactants or organic solvents described hereinbelow. In preferred embodiments, the liquid composition comprises detergency enzymes. Water-soluble bags that have a compartment that comprises a liquid composition and another compartment that comprises a solid composition. In the case of liquid compositions, especially liquid compositions included in a secondary package, it is desirable that the composition has a water content similar to the water content of the film in order to avoid water transfer between one and the other. In cases where the water content is lower in the composition than in the film, water can migrate from the film to the composition causing the water-soluble bag to become fragile. For similar reasons, it is also desirable to have an amount plasticizer similar in the composition and in the film.

In another embodiment, at least one of the plurality of compartments of the water-soluble bag comprises a composition in the form of a paste. Multicompartmental bags may also include gel or wax compositions.

In preferred embodiments, at least one of the plurality of compositions of the water soluble bag comprises an organic solvent system compatible with the water soluble bag. The organic solvent system can simply act as a liquid carrier, but in preferred compositions, the solvent can help remove stains from cooked, baked or burned foods and, therefore, the detergent has functionality in itself. The organic solvent system (comprising a single solvent compound or a mixture of solvent compounds) preferably has a volatile organic content of more than 0.13 kPa (1 mm Hg) and more preferably more than 0.013 kPa (0.1 mm Hg ) of less than 50%, preferably less than 20% and more preferably less than 10%, by weight of the solvent system. Herein the volatile organic compound content of the solvent system is defined as the content of organic components in the solvent system having a vapor pressure greater than the prescribed limit at 25 ° C and atmospheric pressure.

The organic solvent system for use in the present invention is preferably selected from organoamine solvents, including alkanolamines, alkylamines, alkylenamines and mixtures thereof; alcoholic solvents including aromatic, aliphatic (preferably C4-C10) and cycloaliphatic alcohols and mixtures thereof; glycols and glycol derivatives including C2-C3 (poly-) alkylene glycols, glycol ethers, glycol esters and mixtures thereof; and selected mixtures of organoamine solvents, alcoholic solvents, glycols and glycol derivatives. In a preferred embodiment the organic solvent comprises organic amine solvent (especially alkanolamine) and glycol ether solvent, preferably in a weight ratio of about 3: 1 to about 1: 3 and wherein the glycol ether solvent is selected from ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the glycol ether is a mixture of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and propylene glycol butyl ether, especially in a weight ratio of 1: 2 to 2: 1.

A process for manufacturing the bags of the present invention comprises the steps of: i) forming a first moving band of filled and optionally sealed bags releasably coupled on a first endless moving surface (preferably rotary); ii) forming a second moving band of filled and sealed bags releasably coupled to a second endless moving surface (preferably rotary); iii) superimposing and sealing or fixing said first and said second mobile bands to form a superimposed and sealed band; and iv) separating said superimposed and sealed band into a plurality of multicompartmental water soluble bags. Preferably the second endless surface in motion moves synchronously with said first endless surface in motion. This facilitates the completion of the process in a continuous way.

The first band of filled open bags can be closed with any means for closing bands, such as a film of bag forming material, although in a preferred embodiment it is preferably closed with the second band of bags, which avoids use of an extra layer or film. The means for closing the band preferably moves synchronously with the first endless surface and the first band of open bags mounted thereon. Preferably the second band of bags is reversed before the closure of the first band of open bags, this being preferred from the point of view of facilitating the superposition in the sealing process of the band.

The first moving band of open bags can be formed, for example, by incorporating a water soluble film into a matrix having a series of molds. The molds can be of any suitable size and shape, with rectangular molds having a profile suitable to fit most dishwasher dispensers being preferred for use in the present invention. Apart from having the advantage of adapting to the dispenser, rectangular bags inherently have regions with a different film thickness and this can contribute to improving the dissolution profile of the bag.

Open bags can be shaped using thermoforming, for example, by heating the molds or by applying heat by any other known method, such as blowing hot air or using heat lamps. If desired, vacuum can be used to propel the film into the mold. Open bags can alternatively be formed by vacuum forming, in which case, heat can be added to facilitate the process. In general, the thermoforming consists essentially of a plastic deformation process while vacuum forming is essentially an elastic deformation process. The two techniques can be combined to produce bags with any desired degree of elasticity / plasticity.

The first band of open bags is preferably formed on a first endless surface in rotation, this surface being in a preferably horizontal or basically horizontal position during the filling of the bag.

A preferred process comprises the stages of forming and filling a horizontal or basically horizontal band in motion of open bags mounted so that they can be separated on a first endless surface in motion and the closed of the band of open bags with a band in superimposed movement of preconformed, full and sealed bags that moves synchronously with it. The first endless surface preferably moves in a continuous horizontal or basically horizontal movement and preferably in a continuous horizontal rectilinear movement during the filling stage of the first moving band of open bags.

Preferably the first open band of open bags is filled by a product filling station comprising means for filling quantities of one or more product feed streams in each of the open bags. Preferably this filling station is arranged so that it moves synchronously with the first band of open bags during the filling stage, whereby any acceleration / deceleration of the open bags during filling and the consequent pouring of detergent and contamination of the sealing area. The horizontal rectilinear movement of the first band of open bags allows full or more complete filling of the open bags, thus achieving a better use of the film. Alternatively, the filling station can be stationary.

The detergent product can be dispensed in each of the open bags by means of individual dosing devices or dispensing devices that have a single feeder or means to supply a single product feed stream, this being preferred in cases where it is necessary to release a single premixed composition in the bag. In the case of multi-component liquid compositions, each bag can be filled by multiple feeders or means to supply a plurality of product feed streams, each feeder supplying a different liquid composition (or component thereof), so that avoid the need for a premix stage. In the case of multi-component powder compositions, again each bag can be filled by multiple feeders, each of them supplying a powder composition (or component thereof) so that different product layers are formed. In the case of powder compositions, it is an advantage to have a screen-like strap having a hole of the same size or slightly smaller than the opening of the open bag in order to avoid contamination of the joint.

The first band of open bags can be optionally closed and sealed with a film after filling and before overlapping and sealing the second band of moving bags. The second band of bags can be manufactured separately but in preferred embodiments the second band of bags is placed horizontally or substantially horizontally during the filling of the bags. In a preferred method, the filling stage of the second horizontal band in movement of open bags is carried out using a second filling station of the product that moves synchronously with the second endless surface. In one method, the filling station comprises means for releasing a plurality of product feed streams, as in the case of the filling station for the first band of open bags described hereinbefore. When the first band itself is sealed with the film before superimposing the two bands, the two bands may be required to be fixed to each other along a dashed joint line.

Although each of the first and second endless surfaces and the corresponding band of bags can be adapted for a horizontal, rectilinear or curvilinear motion during bag filling, a process in which the first is preferred endless surface moves following a rectilinear horizontal movement during the filling stage of the first band of open bags in motion and where the second endless surface moves following a basically horizontal rectilinear or curvilinear movement during the filling stage of the second Moving band of open bags.

Preferably the second endless surface rotates in a direction opposite to that of the first endless surface.

The bags of the second band are also covered, closed and sealed preferably with a film-like closure after filling and before overlapping on the first band of bags and sealing of the two bands. Preferred use in the present invention is heat sealing, which can be performed by any known means, for example, by direct application, infrared, ultrasonic, radiofrequency, laser. Solvent sealing can alternatively be used in the present invention.

The band of two-compartment bags formed in this way is then divided into individual bags, for example, by known cutting methods. Preferably, the bags are produced at a constant rate at a constant rate, which can facilitate the automation of the packaging process. Although the procedure described above refers to the manufacture of two-compartment bags, multi-compartment bags with more than two compartments can be manufactured in a similar manner, for example, by superimposing and sealing three or more bag bands. Also very useful for use in the present invention are multi-compartment bags in which at least one of the compartments is horizontally divided into a plurality of compartments.

Another process for manufacturing the bags of the present invention comprises:

a) partially form and fill a moving band of open bags mounted so that

they can be separated on an endless surface in motion, the partial filling being such that

leave enough space for the formation of a second compartment in the same mold;

b) close and seal said moving band with a means of closing the band that moves so

synchronized with it, where the closure means of the band is partially inserted into the bags

filled so that a plurality of closed compartments and open overlays are formed;

c) filling, closing and sealing the open compartments superimposed by means of a second means of closing the band that moves synchronously with said moving band; Y

d) separating said band into a plurality of water soluble multicompartmental bags.

In the previous process the formation of multicompartmental bags requires only an endless surface in motion, which can be economically beneficial. Each bag is formed in a unique mold. After the band of open bags is formed, each open bag is partially filled, closed and sealed giving rise to a second open compartment, which is then filled, closed and sealed. In a preferred embodiment the sealing steps are performed by solvent sealing.

The term "filling" herein includes both "partial" and "complete" filling of a bag or compartment thereof. An open bag or compartment is considered to have been completely filled when the product fills at least approximately 90% of the volume of the open bag or compartment. "Partial" filling is done accordingly.

In a slightly modified version of this process, the sealing stage is performed at a later stage of the process. The process includes the stages of:

a) partially forming and filling a moving band of open bags mounted so that they can be separated on an endless moving surface;

b) closing said moving band with a means to close bands that move in synchronized fashion

with it, where the means for closing bands is introduced into partially filled bags so

that a plurality of closed compartments and open overlays is formed;

c) filling and closing the open superimposed compartments by means of a second closing of the band that moves synchronously with said moving band;

d) sealing said band and said first and second band closure means; Y

e) separating said band into a plurality of water-soluble multicompartmental bags.

In a preferred embodiment of this process, the sealing step is performed by ultrasonic sealing.

In another variation of this method, the band of open bags of step (a) is filled, partially or completely, with a first composition comprising a detergent or auxiliary active substance and then either the composition is densified or the bag is enlarged to provide enough space for the formation of the second compartment. In the case of a powder composition, the densification can be achieved by compaction, tapping, tamping, vibration, etc., the densification being carried out preferably so that an apparent density increase of at least about 5% is obtained, preferably at less about 10% and especially at least about 20%, more preferably at least about 30%. The final apparent density is preferably at least about 0.6 g / cc, more preferably at least about 0.8 g / cc, more especially at least about 1 g / cc. The means for enlarging the bag include means for altering the size or volume of the mold, for example, a section with a movable floor, an insert of variable size or volume, etc.

In alternative embodiments, the superimposed open compartments can also be formed after the stage of closing and sealing the moving band of open bags, the process comprising the steps of:

a) forming and filling a moving band of open bags releasably coupled on an endless moving surface;

b) closing and sealing said moving band with a means for closing the band that moves in synchronization therewith so that a plurality of closed compartments are formed;

c) forming a cavity within some or all of the closed compartments formed in step (b) so that a plurality of open compartments are superimposed over the closed compartments;

d) fill, close and seal the open compartments superimposed by means of a second means of closing the band that moves in synchrony with said moving band; Y

e) separating said band into a plurality of water-soluble multicompartmental bags.

Again, in a slightly modified version of this process, the sealing stage is performed at a later stage of the process, the process comprising the steps of:

a) forming and filling a moving band of open bags releasably coupled on an endless moving surface;

b) closing said moving band with a means for closing bands that moves synchronously with it so that a plurality of closed compartments are formed;

c) forming a cavity within some or all of the closed compartments formed in step (b) so

that a plurality of open compartments overlapping the compartments is generated

closed

d) filling and closing the open superimposed compartments by means of a second means of closing the band that moves synchronously with said moving band;

e) sealing said band and said first and second band closure means; Y

f) separating said band into a plurality of water-soluble multicompartmental bags.

In order to form the cavities, the closed compartments can be subjected to a stage of compression or compaction of the dust as described above, and if necessary, means such as vent holes in the band can be incorporated to allow the exit of the Compressed compartment air.

In all these aspects of the process, the endless surface preferably moves in a continuous horizontal or basically horizontal, preferably rectilinear, motion during the filling stages of the open bags and the superimposed open compartments of the moving belt. Alternatively, the movement may be intermittent, although less preferred. It is also preferred that the filling steps be performed using the filling station of the product that moves synchronously with the endless surface. Suitably, the product filling station may comprise means for filling quantities of a plurality of product feed streams in each of said compartments.

Preferably, the multi-compartment bags formed according to any of the methods described in the present invention comprise a plurality of compartments containing a powder composition and a plurality of compartments containing a liquid, gel or paste-shaped composition. It is further understood that through the use of suitable feeding stations, it is possible to manufacture multicompartmental bags that incorporate several different or distinctive powder compositions and / or different gel or paste compositions, different or distinctive. This can be especially valuable for the manufacture of unit dose forms that exhibit visual effects and / or other new sensory effects.

The bags of the present invention can be provided in a package comprising an outer container as a translucent container, for example, a translucent container or bottle containing a plurality of water-soluble bags or other unit doses of detergent product in a multiplicity of groups visually distinctive or otherwise sensory. By visually distinctive it is understood herein that groups can be distinguished in terms of shape, color, size, design, decoration, etc. On the other hand, the groups are distinctive in that they provide a unique sensory signal such as an aroma, a sound, a sensation, etc.

Preferably a detergent container is provided for washing the translucent tableware preferably transparent, wherein the number of different groups of bags or other unit doses is at least 2, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4 and especially at least 6 and wherein the number of unit doses per package is at least about 10, preferably at least about 16, and more preferably at least about 20. Preferably, the unit doses are multicompartmental bags, each compartment itself being visually or otherwise different. from the rest of the compartments in an individual bag Preferably, the groups of bags are different in color. In the case of multi-compartment bags, at least one group of bags has a compartment that is visually distinctive, for example, in terms of color, of the corresponding compartment in one or more other groups of bags. Preferably in said embodiments, all groups of bags have at least one "common" compartment, that is, whose appearance is the same between groups. Preferably the visually different compartment contains a liquid, gel or paste; The common compartment contains a powder or pill. The bags can be arranged in any form in the package, either randomly or in an order, for example, suitable arrangements that include layers where each bag comprises at least one compartment of a different color than any of the rest of the compartments of the remaining bags on the same layer. The package can be made of plastic or any other material, provided that the material is strong enough to protect the bags during transport. This type of container is also very useful because the user does not need to open the container to see how many bags are left, since the bags of different colors are very easy to identify from the outside. Alternatively, the package may have a non-translucent outer container, perhaps with signs or illustrations that represent the visually distinctive content of the package.

In other packages of the embodiment, the distinctive groups of bags contain different perfumes. Perfumes may be perfumes associated with a color, for example, lemon-scented yellow, strawberry-smelling pink, sea-smelling blue.

The processes described in the present invention for the manufacture of multicompartmental bags can be adapted to form a plurality of bags in a multiplicity of sensory distinctive groups as described above, whereby each of a multiplicity of compartmental groups is filled with a composition. sensory distinctive. This simplifies the manufacture of the container of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention utilizes water-soluble multicompartmental bags of optimal shape and dimensions to place in most dishwasher dispensers. The bags used in the invention allow the optimal use of the dishwasher dispenser, as well as the optimal release and preservation of the dishwasher compositions, without losing the comfort of the unit dosage form. Multicompartmental unit dose embodiments include unit dose forms comprising separate compartments of powder, liquid or paste. Especially useful are compositions containing an organic solvent capable of removing stains from cooked, baked or burned foods. The invention also uses multicompartmental embodiments that allow differential release of compositions contained in the different compartments.

The composition or components for washing the dishes used in the present invention are contained in the space of the internal volume of the bag, and are typically separated from the outside environment by a barrier of water-soluble material. Typically, different components of the composition contained in different compartments of the bag are separated from each other by a barrier of water soluble material.

The compartments of the water-soluble bag may be different colors from each other, for example, a first compartment may be green or blue and a second compartment may be white or yellow. A compartment of the bag may be opaque or semi-opaque and a second compartment of the bag may be translucent, transparent or semi-transparent. The compartments of the bag may be the same size, have the same internal volume or may have different sizes with different internal volumes.

Suitable water-soluble bags include, for example, two-compartment bags comprising loose powder, densified powder or a tablet in a first compartment and a liquid detergent, paste or waxy or translucent gel in a second compartment. The second liquid or paste or gel compartment could also contain a separately packaged powder, for example, in the form of microbeads, noodles or one or more beads in the form of beads that allow a delayed or sequential release effect. If the first compartment comprises a tablet, this tablet may have a cavity of a geometric size and shape (for example, square, round or oval) so that it partially or totally houses the second compartment. In the bags comprising powder in the first compartment, the powder can be arranged in layers that can be of different colors.

Multi-compartment bags that have three compartments can have superimposed compartments with any geometric shape in a sandwich arrangement, for example, having loose or compacted powder in the two outer compartments and having a liquid, paste or waxy or translucent gel in the compartment means, medium. On the contrary, the liquid, paste or waxy or translucent gel may be in the two outer compartments, perhaps containing suspended solids and motitas and the powder may be in the middle compartment. A multi-compartment bag may also have a tablet with more than one cavity in the first compartment and other multiple compartments totally or partially housed in the tablet cavity.

The bags can be packaged in a row, each bag can be separated individually by a perforation line. Therefore, each bag can be removed from the rest of the row by the end user.

The bags used in the present invention are multicompartmental bags having a first compartment comprising a liquid composition and a second compartment comprising a powder composition wherein the weight ratio between the liquid and solid composition is 1:30 at 30: 1, preferably from 1: 1 to 1:25 and more preferably from 1:15 to 1:20.

For reasons of deformability and adaptation to the dispenser under compressive forces, the bags or the compartments of the bags containing a component that is liquid will usually contain an air bubble with a volume of up to about 50%, preferably up to about 40%, more preferably up to about 30%, more preferably up to about 20%, more preferably up to about 10% of the volume space of said compartment.

The bag is preferably made of a bag-shaped material that is soluble or dispersible in water and has a water solubility of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, measured by the method described herein. after using a glass filter with a maximum pore size of 20 micrometers.

50 grams ± 0.1 grams of bag-shaped material are added to a previously weighed 400 ml beaker and 245 ml ± 1 ml of distilled water are added. This is vigorously stirred on a magnetic stirrer set at 600 rpm for 30 minutes. The mixture is then filtered through a sintered glass filter with folded paper for analysis with a pore size as defined above (max. 20 micrometers). Water is removed from the collected filtrate by any conventional method and the weight of the remaining material is determined (which is the dissolved or dispersed fraction). The% solubility is then calculated

or dispersibility.

Preferred bag-shaped materials are polymeric materials, preferably polymers that are formed into a film or sheet. The bag-shaped material can be obtained, for example, by casting, blow molding, extrusion or blow extrusion of the polymeric material, as is known in the art.

Preferred polymers, copolymers or derivatives thereof suitable for use as a bag-shaped material are selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, poly (alkylene oxides), acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, cellulose ethers, esters of cellulose, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyamino acids or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide, maleic / acrylic acid copolymers, polysaccharides including starch and gelatin, natural gums, such as xanthan and carrageenan. More preferably, the polymers are selected from water-soluble acrylate polyacrylates and copolymers, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, dextrin, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates and most preferably are selected from poly (alcohol) alcohols, copolymers of polyvinyl alcohol and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and combinations thereof. Preferably, the level of polymer in the bag-shaped material, for example, a PVA polymer, is at least 60%.

The polymer can have any weight average molecular weight, preferably from about 1000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from about 10,000 to 300,000 and even more preferably from about 20,000 to 150,000.

Mixtures of polymers can also be used for the bag-shaped material. This can be beneficial to control the mechanical and / or dissolution properties of the compartments or bag, depending on the application of the compartment and the required needs. Suitable mixtures include, for example, mixtures in which a polymer has a greater water solubility than another polymer and / or a polymer has a greater mechanical strength than that of another polymer. Also suitable are mixtures of polymers having different weight average molecular weights, for example, a mixture of PVA or a copolymer thereof with a weight average molecular weight by weight of about 10,000-40,000, preferably about 20,000 and of PVA or copolymer thereof, with a weight average molecular weight of preferably 100,000 to 300,000, preferably approximately 150,000.

Also suitable herein are compositions of polymer blends, for example, comprising mixtures of hydrolytically degradable and water-soluble polymers, such as polylactide and vinyl polyalcohol, obtained by mixing polylactide and vinyl polyol, typically comprising about 1 % -35% by weight of polylactide and about 65% to 99% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol.

Of preferred use in the present invention are polymers that are from about 60% to about 98% hydrolyzed, preferably from about 80% to about 90% hydrolyzed to improve the dissolution characteristics of the material.

The most preferred bag-shaped materials are PVA films known under the Monosol M8630 brand and marketed by Chris-Craft Industrial Products of Gary, Indiana, USA. UU and PVA films with the corresponding characteristics of solubility and deformability. Other films suitable for use in the present invention include known films with the commercial reference PT film or the K series of films supplied by Aicello or the VF-HP film supplied by Kuraray.

The bag-shaped material of the present invention may also comprise one or more additive ingredients. For example, it may be beneficial to add plasticizers, for example, glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof. Other additives include functional detergent additives that are released into the wash water, for example, organic polymeric dispersants, etc.

The detergent and cleaning compositions of the present invention may comprise traditional detergency components and may also include organic solvents that have a cleaning function and organic solvents that have a carrier or diluent function or some other specialized function. The compositions will generally be reinforced and will comprise one or more detergent active components, which may be selected from bleaching agents, surfactants, alkalinity sources, enzymes, thickeners (in the case of liquid, paste, cream or gel compositions), agents anti-corrosion (eg sodium silicate) and disintegrating agents and binders (in the case of dust, granules or tablets). Very preferred detergent components include a detergent builder additive component, a source of alkalinity, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent.

Unless otherwise specified, the components described hereinbelow may be incorporated into organic solvent compositions and / or detergent or cleaning compositions.

Organic solvents should be selected to be compatible with crockery, cutlery, glassware and kitchen utensils, as well as with the different parts of an automatic dishwasher. In addition, the solvent system should be of safe and effective use and have a volatile organic content of more than 0.13 kPa (1 mm Hg) (and preferably more than 0.013 kPa (0.1 mm Hg)) of less than about 50 %, preferably less than about 30% and more preferably less than about 10%, by weight of the solvent system. Also, it should also have a very mild pleasant smell. The individual organic solvents used in the present invention generally have a boiling point greater than about 150 ° C, a flash point greater than about 100 ° C and a vapor pressure less than about 0.13 kPa (1 mm Hg), preferably less than 0.013 kPa (0.1 mm Hg) at 25 ° C and atmospheric pressure.

Solvents that can be used in the present invention include: i) alcohols, such as benzyl alcohol, 1,4-cyclohexane dimetanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, furfuryl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol and other similar materials; ii) amines, such as alkanolamines (eg primary alkanolamines: monoethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diethylene ethanolamine, ethyl diethanolamine; secondary alkanolamines: diethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, 2 (methylamino) ethanol; tertiary alkanolamines: triethanolamine, triisilapanolamine, triistanopanolamine, triistanopanolamine alkylamines (eg primary alkylamines: monomethylamine, monoethylamine, monopropylamine, monobutylamine, monopentylamine, cyclohexylamine), secondary alkylamines: (dimethylamine), alkyleneamines (primary alkyleneamines: ethylenediamine, propylenediamine) and other similar materials; iii) esters, such as ethyl lactate, methyl ester, ethyl acetoacetate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate and other similar materials; iv) glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol butyl ether and other similar materials; v) glycols, such as propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, hexyl glycol (2-methyl-2, 4 pentanediol), triethylene glycol, composition and dipropylene glycol and other similar materials; and mixtures thereof.

Surfactant

In the methods of the present invention for use in automatic dishwashers the detergent surfactant is preferably of low foam by itself or in combination with other components (i.e., suds suppressors). Suitable herein surfactants include anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfates, alkylether sulfates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl glyceryl sulfonates, alkyl and alkenyl, alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, N-acyl sarcosinates, N-acyl taurates and alkyl succinates and sulfosuccinates, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl or acyl is C5-C20, preferably linear or branched C10-C18; cationic surfactants such as chlorine esters (US-A-4,228,042, US-A-4,239,660 and US-A-4,260,529) and mono-N-alkyl or C6-C16 alkenyl ammonium surfactants, wherein the remaining N positions are substituted with methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl groups; low and high cloud point nonionic surfactants and mixtures thereof, including nonionic alkoxylated surfactants (especially ethoxylated derivatives of primary C6-C18 alcohols), ethoxylated propoxylated alcohols (eg, BASF Poly-Tergent® SLF18 ), poly (oxyalkylated) alcohols terminally protected with epoxy groups (e.g., BASF Poly-Tergent® SLF18B - see WO-A-94/22800), poly (oxyalkylated) alcohol type surfactants terminally protected with ether groups and Polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymeric compounds such as PLURONIC®, REVERSED PLURONIC® and TETRONIC® from BASF-Wyandotte Corp., Wyandotte, Michigan, USA. UU .; amphoteric surfactants such as C12-C20 alkyl amine oxides (the preferred amine oxides for use in the present invention include lauryldimethyl C12amine oxide and C14 and C16amine dimethyl hexadecyl oxide), and amphocarboxy alkyl type surfactants, such as Miranol ™ C2M; and hybrid ion surfactants such as betaines and sultaines; and mixtures thereof. Suitable surfactants in the present invention are described, for example, in US-A-3,929,678, US-A-4,259,217, EP-A-0414 549, WO-A-93/08876 and WO-A -93/08874. Typically, surfactants are present at a level of about 0.2% to about 30% by weight, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, more preferably from about 1% to about 5% by weight. Weight of the composition. Surfactants of preferred use in the present invention are low foam and include low ionic cloud point surfactants and mixtures of high foam surfactants with low ion cloud point nonionic surfactants that act as a soap inhibitor thereto.

Detergency builder

Detergent builder additives suitable for use in the detergent and cleaning compositions of the present invention include water soluble builder detergent additives such as citrates, carbonates and polyphosphates p. ex. sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium tripolyphosphate hexahydrate, potassium tripolyphosphate and mixed salts of sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate; and detergency builder additives partially soluble in water or insoluble, such as crystalline lamellar silicates (EP-A-0164514 and EP-A-0293640) and aluminosilicates including zeolites A, B, P, X, HS and MAP. The detergent builder is typically present at a level of about 1% to about 80% by weight, preferably from about 10% to about 70% by weight, most preferably from about 20% to about 60% by weight. of the composition.

Amorphous sodium silicates having a SiO2: Na2O ratio of 1.8 to 3.0, preferably 1.8 to 2.4 and most preferably 2.0, may also be used in the present invention, although from the point of view Compositions containing less than about 22%, preferably less than about 15% of total silicate (amorphous and crystalline) are highly preferred.

Enzyme

Suitable enzymes in the present invention include bacterial and fungal cellulases such as Carezyme and Celluzyme (Novo Nordisk A / S); peroxidases; lipases such as Amano-P (from Amano Pharmaceutical Co.), M1 Lipase® and Lipomax® (from Gist-Brocades) and Lipolase® and Lipolase Ultra® (from Novo); cutinases; proteases such as Esperase®, Alcalase®, Durazym® and Savinase® (de Novo) and Maxatase®, Maxacal®, Properase® and Maxapem® (from Gist-Brocades); a and J amylases such as Purafect Ox Am® (Genencor) and Termamyl®, Ban®, Fungamyl®, Duramyl®, and Natalase® (Novo); pectinases; and mixtures thereof. The enzymes are preferably added in the present invention in the form of pellets, granules or cogranulates at levels typically in the range of about 0.0001% to about 2% pure enzyme by weight of the composition.

Bleaching agent

Suitable bleaching agents herein include chlorinated bleaching agents and oxygen releasing bleaching agents, especially inorganic perhydrated salts, such as sodium perborate monohydrate and tetrahydrate and optionally coated sodium percarbonate to provide a controlled rate of release (see, for example, coatings of sulfate / carbonate in GB-A-1466799), previously formed organic peroxyacids and mixtures thereof with organic peroxyacid bleach precursors and / or bleaching catalysts containing transition metals (especially manganese or cobalt). Inorganic perhydrated salts are typically incorporated at levels in the range of about 1% to about 40% by weight, preferably from about 2% to about 30% by weight and more preferably from about 5% to about 25% by weight of the composition. Preferred peroxyacid bleach precursors for use in the present invention include perbenzoic acid and substituted perbenzoic acid precursors; cationic peroxyacid precursors; peracetic acid precursors such as TAED, sodium acetoxybenzene sulfonate and pentaacetylglucose; precursors of pernonanoic acid such as sodium 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (iso-NOBS) and sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate (NOBS); alkyl peroxyacid precursors with amide substitution (EP-A-0170386); and benzoxacin peroxyacid precursors (EP-A-0332294 and EP-A-0482807). Bleach precursors are typically incorporated at levels in the range of about 0.5% to about 25%, preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of composition, while the previously formed organic peroxyacids themselves are incorporated in typically at levels in the range of 0.5% to 25% by weight, more preferably 1% to 10% by weight of the composition. Preferred bleach catalysts for use in the present invention include manganese triazacyclononane and related complexes (US-A-4246612, US-A-5227084); Co, Cu, Mn and Fe bispyridylamine and related complexes (US-A-5114611); and cobalt (III) pentamine acetate and related complexes (US-A-4810410).

5 Non-ionic low cloud point surfactants and suds suppressors

Soap suppressants suitable for use in the present invention include non-ionic surfactants having a low cloud point. The term "cloud point", herein, is a well known property of non-ionic surfactants whereby the surfactant becomes less soluble as the temperature increases, the temperature at which "cloud point" is called "cloud point." the appearance of a second phase is observed (see Kirk Othmer, p. 360-362). Here, a "low cloud point" non-ionic surfactant is defined as an ingredient of the non-ionic surfactant system having a cloud point of less than 30 ° C, preferably less than about 20 ° C, even more preferably less at about 10 ° C and most preferably less than about 7.5 ° C. Typical low-cloud non-ionic surfactants include non-ionic alkoxylated surfactants, especially ethoxylates

15 derivatives of primary alcohols, and inverse block polymers of polyoxypropylene / polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene (PO / EO / PO). Likewise, said non-ionic low cloud point surfactants include, for example, ethoxylated-propoxylated alcohol (e.g., BASF Poly-Tergent® SLF18) and polyoxyalkylated alcohols terminally protected with epoxy groups (e.g., the BASF series Poly-Tergent® SLF18B of non-ionic surfactants, as described, for example, in US-A-5,576,281).

Preferred low cloud point surfactants are the suppressors of the polyoxyalkylated soaps terminally protected with ether groups having the formula:

R1O (CH2 CHO) x (CH2 CH2 O) and (CH2 CH O) z H

R2 R3

wherein R1 is a linear alkyl hydrocarbon having an average of about 7 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 is a linear alkyl hydrocarbon of about 1 to about 425 carbon atoms, R3 is a linear alkyl hydrocarbon of about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, x is an integer from about 1 to about 6, and is an integer from about 4 to about 15 and z is an integer from about 4 to about 6

25.

Other nonionic low cloud point surfactants are terminal polyoxyalkylated surfactants protected with ether groups having the formula:

RIO (RIIO) nCH (CH3) ORIII

wherein RI is selected from the group consisting of linear or branched, saturated hydrocarbon radicals

or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, aliphatic or aromatic having from about 7 to about 12 carbon atoms; RII can be the same or different and is independently selected

From each other, from the group consisting of branched or linear C2 to C7 alkylene in any molecule; n is a number from 1 to about 30; and RIII is selected from the group consisting of:

(i)

a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring of 4 to 8 elements containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms; Y

(ii)

aliphatic or aromatic, cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon radicals having from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

(b)

with the proviso that when R2 is (ii) then: (A) at least one of R1 is different from C2 to C3 alkylene;

or (B) R2 has 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and with the additional condition that when R2 has 8 to 18 carbon atoms, R is different from C1 to C5 alkyl.

Other suitable components in the present invention include organic polymers having properties

Dispersants, anti-redeposition, soil release or other detergency properties at levels of about 0.1% to about 30%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 15% and most preferably from about 1% to about 10% , by weight of the composition. Preferred anti-redeposition polymers in the present invention include polymers containing acrylic acid, such as Sokalan PA30, PA20, PA15, PA10 and Sokalan CP10 (BASF GmbH), Acusol 45N, 480N, 460N (Rohm and Haas), acid copolymers acrylic / maleic acid, such as Sokalan CP5 and acrylic / methacrylic copolymers. Preferred soil release polymers in the present invention include alkylcelluloses and hydroxyalkylcelluloses (US-A-4,000,093), polyoxyethylenes, polyoxypropylenes and copolymers thereof and nonionic and anionic polymers based on ethylene glycol terephthalate esters, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

Heavy metal sequestrants and crystal growth inhibitors are suitable for use in the present invention at levels generally from about 0.005% to about 20%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.25% at about 7.5% and most preferably about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the composition, for example, diethylenetriamine penta (methylene phosphonate), ethylenediamine tetra (methylene phosphonate) hexamethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonate), ethylene diphosphonate , hydroxy-ethylene-1,1-diphosphonate, nitrilotriacetate, ethylenediaminetetracetate, ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinate in its salt and free acid forms

The compositions of the present invention may contain a corrosion inhibitor, such as organic silver coating agents at levels of from about 0.05% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the composition (especially paraffins, such as Winog 70 sold by Wintershall, Salzbergen, Germany), corrosion-containing compounds containing nitrogen (eg benzotriazole and benzimadazole - see application GB-A-1137741) and Mn (II) compounds, especially Mn (II) salts of organic ligands at levels of about 0.005% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 1%, more preferably from about 0.02% to about 0.4% by weight of the composition.

Other suitable components in the present invention include dyes, water-soluble bismuth compounds, such as bismuth acetate and bismuth citrate at levels of about 0.01% to about 5%, enzyme stabilizers, such as calcium ion, boric acid , propylene glycol and chlorine bleach removing agents at levels of about 0.01% to about 6%, limestone soap dispersants (see application WO-A-93/08877), suds suppressors (see applications WO-93 / 08876 and EP-A0705324), agents that inhibit the transfer of polymeric dyes, optical brighteners, perfumes, fillers and clay.

The liquid detergent compositions of the present invention may contain small amounts of primary or secondary low molecular weight alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol. Other suitable solvent carriers used in small amounts include glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof.

The process used in the present invention for shaping the first and / or second band in motion involves the continuous feeding of a water soluble film on an endless surface, preferably on a horizontal or basically horizontal part of an endless surface, or in another way, on a non-horizontal part of this surface, so that it moves continuously towards and eventually on the horizontal or basically horizontal part of the surface. Naturally, materials in the form of a film and / or different films of different thicknesses can be used for the manufacture of the first and second moving bands, where for example it is required that the compartments have different solubility or release characteristics.

In a preferred process for the manufacture of the first and second moving belt, a portion of the endless surface will move continuously following a horizontal rectilinear motion, until it rotates around an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement, typically approximately 180 degrees and then move in the opposite direction, usually again following a horizontal rectilinear movement. Eventually, the surface will rotate again until it reaches its initial position. In other procedures, the surface moves in a curvilinear, for example, circular motion, where at least a part of the surface is basically horizontal for a simple but finite period of time. When used, such procedures are mainly valuable for the production of the second moving band.

The term "endless surface" herein indicates that the surface is endless in at least one dimension, preferably only in one dimension. For example, the surface is preferably part of a rotating plate conveyor belt comprising molds, as described in more detail below.

The horizontal or basically horizontal part of the surface can be any width, typically depending on the number of rows of molds across the width, the size of the molds and the size of the separation between the molds. When it is intended to operate horizontally rectilinearly, the horizontal part of the endless surface may have any length, typically depending on the number of the process steps required to take place in this part of the surface (during horizontal movement continuous surface), the time required per stage and the optimal surface speed needed for these stages. Naturally, when a continuous speed greater or lesser is used throughout the entire process, it may be necessary for the surface length to be shorter or longer. For example, if several stages are performed in the horizontal part, the part has to be longer or the speed less than if for example only two stages are made in the horizontal part.

It may be preferred that the surface width is up to 1.5 meters or even up to 1.0 meters or preferably between 30 cm and 60 cm. It may be preferred that the horizontal part of the endless surface be 2 meters to 20 meters, or even 4 meters to 12 meters or even 6 meters to 10 meters or even 9 meters.

The surface typically moves with a constant speed throughout the entire process, which can be any constant speed. Speeds of 1 m / min to 80 m / min, or even 10 m / min to 60 m / min or even 2 m / min to 50 m / min or even 30 m / min to 40 m may be preferred / min

The process is preferably performed on an endless surface that has a horizontal movement for a time that allows the formation of the bag band, filling of the bags, superposition of the second moving band of the bags, sealing of the two bands moving and cutting to separate the superimposed bands into a plurality of multicompartmental bags. Next, the bags are removed from the surface and the surface will rotate around an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement, typically approximately 180 degrees, to then move in the opposite direction, typically, to turn again , after which stage a) begins again.

Preferably, the surface is part of, and / or preferably releasably attached to, a moving rotating belt, for example, a conveyor or a plate conveyor. Then, preferably, the surface can be removed or replaced with another surface that has other dimensions or that comprises molds of a different shape or dimension. This allows the equipment to be easily cleaned and also used for the production of different types of bags. It can be, for example, a tape that has a series of plates, the number and size of which will depend on the length of the horizontal part and the diameter of the surface rotation cycles, for example, which is 50 to 150, even 60 to 120, or even 70 to 100 plates, for example, each having a length (direction of movement of the plate and the surface) of 5 cm to 150 cm, preferably 10 cm to 100 cm, or even from 20 cm to 45 cm.

The plates form together the endless surface or part thereof and typically the molds are comprised on the surface of the plates, for example each plate can have a number of molds, for example up to 20 molds in the direction of the width, or even from 2 to 10 or even 3 to 8 and for example up to 15 or even 1 to 10 or even 2 to 6 or even 2 to 5 molds longitudinally, that is, in the direction of movement of the plates.

The surface, or typically the belt connected to the surface, can be moved continuously by the use of any known method. The use of a zero elongation chain system is preferred, which drives the surface of the tape connected to the surface.

If a plate conveyor belt is used, it preferably contains a) a main belt (preferably steel) and b) series of plates, which comprise 1) a surface with molds, so that the endless surface plates with molds described above and 2) a connection with a vacuum conduit and 3) preferably a base plate between the plates and the connection with a vacuum conduit. Next, the plates are preferably mounted on the main belt so that there is no air leakage from the joints between the plates. The whole plate conveyor belt then moves preferably along (above; below) a static vacuum system (vacuum chamber).

It may be preferred that the surface is connected to 2 or more different vacuum systems, which may provide a different negative pressure and / or provide such a negative pressure over a longer period of time.

or less or for a longer or shorter duration. For example, it may be preferred that a first vacuum system provides a continuous negative pressure to the area between or along the molds / edges and that the other system only provides a vacuum for a certain amount of time to stretch the film on the molds. For example, the vacuum stretch of the film on the mold can be applied only for 0.2 to 5 seconds or even 0.3 to 3 or even 2 seconds or even 0.5 to 1.5 seconds, once the film is on the horizontal part of the surface. This vacuum may preferably be such that it provides a negative pressure between -10 kPa to -100 kPa (from -100 mbar to -1000 mbar), or even from -20 kPa to -60 kPa (from -200 mbar to -600 mbar ).

It may be preferred, for example, to connect two or more vacuum systems or preferably pumps to the conduits described above, so that each vacuum system is connected to each conduit, preferably so that the systems are not interconnected in the conduit, thus completely separating the vacuum systems from each other and to ensure controlled release of the vacuum to the molds / surface between / along the mold / edges.

It is understood that therefore, all plates and the main belt move continuously, typically with the same constant speed.

The surface, or plates described above, are preferably made of a corrosion resistant material, which is durable and easy to clean. It may be preferred that the surface or plates, including the mold areas are made of aluminum, preferably mixed with nickel or optionally only the outer layers comprising nickel and / or mixtures of nickel and aluminum.

Preferably, at least the upper layer between and / or in the surface molds is of a deformable resilient material, preferably at least the upper layer between the molds. The material is typically such that it has a coefficient of friction of 0.1 or more, preferably 0.3 or more. For example, the top layer between the molds, although even in the molds, can be rubber, silicone material or cork, preferably rubber or silicone rubber. It is also preferred that the material is not too hard, for example, similar to silicone rubber having a Shore hardness value of 10 to 90.

The molds can have any shape, length, width and depth, depending on the required dimensions of the bags. By surface, if desired the molds can also vary in size and shape with each other. For example, it may be preferred that the volume of the final bags be between 5 ml and 300 ml, even 10 ml to 150 ml, even 20 ml to 100 ml or even up to 80 ml and that the mold sizes be adjusted adequately.

The incorporation of the film a, and typically inside or on, the upper part of the surface and preferably on the horizontal part thereof is done continuously and thus typically with a constant speed throughout the process. This can be done by any known method, preferably by using rollers from which the film is unwound. The film can be transported from the rollers to the surface by any means, for example, guided by a belt, preferably a deformable resilient belt, for example, a rubber belt or silicone material, including silicone rubber. The material is typically such that it has a coefficient of friction of 0.1 or more, preferably 0.3 or more.

It may be preferred that the rollers rewind the film with a speed of at least 100 m / min, even from 120 m / min to 700 m / min, even from 150 m / min to 500 m / min or even 250 m / min at 400 m / min

Once on the surface, the film can be held in position, e.g. eg, fixed or fixed on the surface by any means. For example, the film can be fastened with jaws or clips on the edge of the surface, where there are no molds, or pressed with rollers on the edges of the surface, where there are no molds, fastened with a strap on the edges of the surface , where there are no molds.

To facilitate the handling and positioning of the film, for greater accuracy and better reliability in alignment and in order not to lose too much of the surface of the film (i.e., placed on or on the jaws, clips, rollers or belt) and also in order to reduce the tension on the film or ensure a more homogeneous tension on the film, it is preferred to keep the film in position by applying vacuum on the film, thereby stretching or pushing the film in a fixed position on the surface. Typically this is done by applying vacuum (or negative pressure) over the entire surface to be attached to the film, for example, under the film. This method is also suitable even if the width of the film is larger than the surface, so that this system is more flexible than the use of jaws or clips.

Preferably, the vacuum is applied along the edges of the film and, thus, typically at the edges of the film and / or on the surface between or around the molds, typically along the edges of the film. molds It is preferred to apply the vacuum (at least) along the edges of the surface.

Preferably, said surface comprises holes that are connected to a device that can provide a vacuum, as is known in the art, or the so-called vacuum chamber (s). Thus, the surface preferably has holes along the edges of the surface and / or holes along or between the molds.

It is preferred that the holes are small, preferably of a diameter of 0.1 mm to 20 mm, or even 0.2 mm to 10 mm or even 0.5 mm to 7 mm, or even 1 mm to 5 mm .

Preferably, at least some of the holes are near the edges of the mold to reduce the formation of wrinkles in the area around the edges of the mold which, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, serve as a closing or sealing zone; preferably the distance between the edge of the mold and the edge of the first hole or the nearest hole is 0.25 mm to 20 mm from the edge of the mold, or even preferably 0.5 mm to 5 mm or even 1 mm to 2 mm

It is preferred that rows of holes be present along the edge of the surface and / or along the edge of the mold; it may be preferred that 2 or 3 or more rows of holes are present.

The use of many small holes in the manner described above guarantees a more homogeneous tension of the film and this reduces the tension required to fix the film and this improves the fixation and reduces the possibility of the film wrinkling.

The use of a vacuum system to fix the film in position is especially beneficial when the film is subsequently stretched over the molds by vacuum application as described below.

Open bags can be formed in the molds by any method and, as described above, preferred methods include the use of (at least) a vacuum system or negative pressure to stretch the film onto the molds. Preferred methods (also) include heating and / or wetting the film to make it more flexible or even more stretched and take the form of the mold; preferably combined with the application of vacuum on the film to introduce the film into the molds, or combinations of all these methods.

In the present invention it is at least preferred to use vacuum. In the case of bags comprising powders, it is advantageous to perforate the film for several reasons: firstly, to reduce the possibility of defects in the film during the formation of the bag, for example, defects in the film that cause the film can occur. rupture of the film if the film is stretched too quickly, secondly, to allow the release of any gas derived from the product included in the bag, such as oxygen formed in the case of powders containing bleach, and thirdly , allow the continued release of perfume. When heat and / or humidification is also used, it can be used before, during or after the use of vacuum, preferably during or after application of the vacuum.

Thus, it is preferred that each mold comprises one or more holes which are connected to a system that can provide a vacuum through these holes on the film above the holes, as described in greater detail herein. memory. It is preferred that the vacuum system be a vacuum chamber comprising at least two different units, each separated into different compartments, as described herein.

The heat can be applied by various means, for example, directly, by passing the film under a heat element or through hot air, before introducing it on the surface or once on the surface or indirectly, for example, by heating the surface or applying a hot article on the film, for example, up to temperatures of 50 ° C to 120 ° C, or even 60 ° C to 90 ° C, preferably for example, with infrared light.

The film can be wetted by any means, for example, directly by spraying a wetting agent (including water, film-shaped solutions of the material or plasticizers for the film-shaped material) onto the film, before incorporating it onto the surface or a once on the surface, or indirectly by wetting the surface or by applying a hot article on the film.

The filling of the first and second bands of open bags can be done by any known method for filling items (movement). The most preferred exact method depends on the shape of the product and the filling speed.

One method is for example a flood dosing, whereby the band of open bags passes through a horizontal or basically horizontal continuous movement under a dosing unit, which is static and which has a device for dosing exactly a quantity or volume. of product per unit of time. The problem or disadvantage of this method may be that the product is dispensed in areas between the open bags, which typically serve as a sealing zone; This can not only be a waste of product but also makes sealing difficult. This problem is especially acute in the case of products in the form of mobile liquids. Products in the form of paste or gel are easier to achieve with this form of filling procedure.

In general, preferred methods include continuous movement in the filling of the line, which uses a dispensing unit placed above the open bags, which has an endless rotating surface with nozzles, which moves in a rotational manner from typical form with a continuous movement, whereby the nozzles move with the same speed as the bags and in the same direction, so that each open bag is under the same nozzle or nozzles for the duration of the dispensing stage. After the filling stage, the nozzles rotate and return to the original position to begin another dispensing / filling stage. Each nozzle or several nozzles together are preferably connected to a device that can accurately control that only a set amount or volume of product is dispensed during one rotation per nozzle, thus, e.g. ex. in a bag.

It may be preferred that the filling / dispensing system is such that 10 to 100 cycles (filling steps) can be done per minute, or even 30 to 80 or even 40 to 70 per minute. This will naturally be adjusted depending on the size of the open bags, the speed of the surface etc.

A very preferred method for filling open bags suitable for surface movement following a horizontal rectilinear movement is a method of filling reciprocating motion. This process preferably uses a filling station in returnable motion (changes the direction of movement) and is variable speed. The filling station typically has a series of nozzles, each of which moves with the same speed as the open bags (to be filled) and in the same direction during the period in which product has to be dispensed in the bags open. Then, typically when a bag is full, the nozzle or nozzles that fill the bag stop its movement along the bag and turn in the opposite direction, to stop again, so that it is placed above others open bag (s) that remains to be filled and then starts moving again in the opposite direction, with the same speed and in the same direction as the open bags, until it reaches the speed of the bags and then continue with this speed and start dispensing and filling the bag (s), as in the previous filling cycle. The speed of the return movement may be greater than the speed of the movement during filling.

Each nozzle or series of nozzles together is preferably connected to a device that can accurately control that only a set amount or volume of product is dispensed during one rotation per nozzle, e.g. eg, in a bag.

The filling unit or station in the process of the invention preferably uses a flow measuring device and / or a positive displacement pump to dose the appropriate quantities or volumes of product per open bag, in particular it has been seen that a displacement bag Positive is very accurate. In this way, the required amount of product volume is introduced into the pump and this is then introduced into the nozzles. For example, if the system is such that 60 bags have to be filled per filling cycle, 60 nozzles are typically provided, connected to 60 positive displacement pumps (one pump per nozzle, per bag), which are all connected to A general tank with product.

The pumps can be adjusted depending on the product to be dispensed. For example, if the product is a viscous liquid, the pumps have to be more powerful and if it is a fast filling, surface movement is required.

Other methods that can be used include the flow measurement by using a magnetic flow meter or a mass flow meter, and the measurement of the filling pressure flow (which keeps the pressure constant and controls the filling time and , therefore, the volume).

It may also be preferred to use a filling system by which, before filling, a second surface with openings is placed, each of which has a surface equal to or less than the surface of an open bag, above the web of open bags in continuous motion and continuously moving in the direction of the bag band and with the speed of the bag band open, so that each opening remains placed above an open bag during the filling stage and that the space between at least part of the molds is covered, said second surface being preferably an endless moving belt that can rotate.

Filling can be done through the openings on this surface or belt, so that the product can only enter the open bags and not in the area between the bags, which is covered. This is advantageous because the area between the open bags (between the molds), which typically serves as a sealing area when the bags are closed, is exempt from product, which guarantees a better or easier joint.

The full open bags are then closed, which can be carried out by any method. Preferably, this is also done although in the horizontal position and in a constant continuous movement and preferably on the horizontal part of the endless surface described above.

Preferred in the case of a second movement band is that the closure is manufactured by continuously feeding a second material or film, preferably water soluble film on and above the open bag web and then preferably sealing the first film. and of the second film together, typically in the area between the molds and, therefore, between the bags. It is preferred to incorporate the closure material on the open bags with the same speed and movement and in the same direction as the open bags.

In the case of the first moving band, it is preferred that the closure material be the second band of closed, full bags, the closure being carried out, as described above, that is, placing the band of closed full bags on the open bags continuously, preferably with constant speed and movement in the same direction of the open bags and which are subsequently sealed with the first film. Alternatively, the first moving band can also be closed using a film or material as described above for the second band before superimposing and sealing the first and second bag moving band. Such embodiments may be preferred in the case of a multi-liquid composition containing products or when required to make bags side-by-side, but superimposable.

The sealing can be manufactured by any method. The sealing can be manufactured in a discontinuous manner, for example, by transporting the bag band to another sealing area and sealing equipment. However, the sealing is preferably done continuously and preferably with constant speed while the band of closed bags moves continuously and with constant speed and can also preferably be done horizontally, preferably also in said horizontal part of the surface.

Preferred methods include heat sealing, solvent and solvent welding or wet sealing. Thus, it may be preferred to treat only the area that will form the joint with heat or solvent. The heat or solvent can be applied by any method, preferably in the closure material, preferably only in the areas that will form the joint.

It is preferred that when heat sealing is used, a roller with cavities the size of the part of the bag that is not enclosed by the mold and that has a pattern of the bags, is rolled (continuously) over the band bags , passing under the roller. Thus, the hot roller only comes into contact with the sealing areas, specifically between the bags around the edges of the molds. Typically, sealing temperatures are from 50 ° C to 300 ° C, or even from 80 ° C to 200 ° C, depending naturally on the film-shaped material. Also useful is a movable, returnable sealing device, which functions as the movable, returnable filling / dosing device, which contacts the area between the molds, around the edges, for a certain time to form the joint and then moves away from the sealing area to go back and start another sealing cycle. In the case of heat sealing, it is important that the sealing area of the second band with the first band does not overlap the sealing area of the first and / or second individual band of the bags.

If solvent sealed or wet sealed, it may also be preferred to apply heat. Wet / solvent sealed / welded methods include the selective application of solvents on the area between the molds or on the closure material, for example, by spraying or printing on these areas and then applying pressure on these areas to form board. For example, the rollers and belts for sealing can be used as described above (optionally also applying heat).

The bands of overlapping and sealed bags can then be cut with a cutting device, which cuts the bags together, into separate superimposed multi-compartment bags and which partially cuts the band so that multi-compartment bags are formed by a side-by-side arrangement. side although superimposable.

The cutting can be done by any known method. It may also be preferred to make the cut continuously, and preferably with constant speed and preferably horizontally. However, the cutting stage does not need to be performed horizontally, or continuously. For example, the band of closed (sealed) bags can be transported to the cutting device, e.g. eg, to another surface, where the cutting device works. Although, for ease of processing it may be preferred to perform the cutting stage on the same surface as in the previous stages.

The cutting device can be for example an article or a hot article, whereby in the latter case, it "burns" the film / sealing area. It may be preferred that it be a roller with sharp utensils, such as a knife, with cavities the size and pattern of the bags, which rolls over the bags, so that the sharp utensils only touch the area to be cut. Also when the band of bags moves in one direction (e.g., continuously and / or horizontally, for example, even on an endless surface of the present invention) it may be preferred to use a static device that contacts the area between the bags along the direction of movement, to cut the bags in the direction of movement in a continuous manner. Then, the cutting between the bags along the direction of the width of the bag band can be performed by an intermittent cutting stage, for example, by applying a cutting device for a short period of time over the area, separating the cutting device and repeating this action with the following group of bags.

The bag, when used herein, can be of any shape and material that is suitable for containing the product before use, e.g. eg, without allowing the release of the bag compositions before contacting the bagged composition with water. The exact embodiment will depend for example on the type and quantity of the compositions in the bag, the characteristics required of the bag to maintain, protect and dispense or release the compositions, the number of compartments in the bag.

During the manufacture of the liquid compartment, an air bubble is typically formed. This air bubble can reduce the understandability of the bag and therefore the ease of closure of the dispenser after placing the bag inside. It has been found that the ease of closure increases when the ratio between the diameter of the air bubble and the maximum lateral dimension of the bag profile is from about 1: 5 to about 1: 2. Preferably, the bubble has a diameter of about 9 to about 16 mm. The size of the bubble can be controlled by the process parameters.

In the invention, the water-soluble bag is usually placed inside the dishwasher dispenser and is released during the main cycle of the dishwashing process. However, some dishwasher dispensers are not completely water tight, mainly for two reasons, or the dispenser has some openings that allow water to enter or the dispenser is sealed with a rubber band that can deform over time due at the high temperature of the dishwashing process. Water entering the dispenser can cause premature leakage of part of the contents of the bag, which is lost at the end of the prewash. This problem is especially acute in the case of bags comprising liquid compositions having a low viscosity where a considerable amount of the product can be lost before the main wash cycle. The problem can be solved by making the bag or at least the liquid compartment thereof a film-shaped material that is designed to survive the prewash cycle and release the contents of the bag on or after the start of the main wash In European dishwashers, pre-washing is usually carried out in a cold water cycle (approximately 20 ° C or less) without detergent and lasting approximately 10 min to 15 min.

Preferably the film-shaped material has a water solubility, according to the test defined hereinafter, of less than about 50%, more preferably less than about 20% and especially less than about 5%, under water conditions cold (20 ° C or lower) when exposed to water for at least 10 minutes, preferably at least 15 minutes; and a water solubility of at least about 50%, more preferably at least about 75% and especially at least about 95%, under hot water conditions (30 ° C or higher, preferably 40 ° C or higher) when exposed to water for about 5 minutes and preferably when exposed to water for about 3 minutes. Said film-shaped materials referred to herein are basically insoluble in cold water but soluble in hot water. Sometimes, this is simply abbreviated as "soluble in hot water."

50 grams ± 0.1 gram of bag-shaped material are added to a 400 ml beaker previously weighed and 245 ml ± 1 ml of distilled water are added. This is maintained at the desired temperature, by using a water bath and vigorously stirring in a magnetic stirrer set at 600 rpm, for the desired time. The mixture is then filtered through a qualitative sintered glass filter folded with a maximum pore size of 20 μm. Water is removed from the collected filtrate by any conventional method and the weight of the remaining material is determined (which is the dissolved or dispersed fraction). The% solubility or dispersibility is then calculated.

Commercial films insoluble in cold water and soluble in hot water include BP26 marketed by Aicello, L10 and L15 marketed by Aquafilm, VF-M and VM-S marketed by Kuraray and E-2060 marketed by Monosol.

The multi-compartment bag comprises a first compartment comprising a liquid composition and a second compartment comprising a densified powder or powder composition. Preferably, the liquid compartment is made of a hot water soluble material as described above and the powder compartment or densified powder compartment is made of a cold water soluble material, that is, a material that is soluble to a certain degree of at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 95% by weight under cold water conditions (20 ° C or less) when exposed to water for 5 minutes and preferably when exposed to water. water for 3 minutes. Due to the way in which European dishwashers work (these are filled with cold water and cold water is heated by a heater), the compartment made of water soluble material needs more time to dissolve than the compartment made of a soluble material in water This bag shape allows a delayed release of the liquid composition by providing optimized use of the detergent composition. Preferably, the liquid composition comprises detergency enzyme, this being advantageously from the standpoint of stability during the storage of the enzyme, the enzyme being separated from the bleach and the highly alkaline materials contained in the powder or densified powder composition. In addition, the liquid-containing compartment (basically insoluble in cold water and soluble in hot water) will need more time to dissolve or disintegrate than the compartment that contains the solid (cold-soluble in water), minimizing the negative interaction in the wash solution between bleach and enzymes and between the surfactant and enzymes and providing better removal of protein stains and pre-treatment benefits in the later stages of the dishwashing process.

The compartments of the bags containing solid compositions, in particular compositions comprising oxygen releasing bleach, are usually perforated in order to allow the spillage of any oxygen formed. However, the holes formed by perforation can also allow the spillage of perfumes or the exit of bad odors. For example, surfactants often have an associated unpleasant smell and when such bags are packaged within a secondary container, the smell of unpleasant surfactant can be concentrated in the head space of the container and released every time the user opens the container. This problem can be avoided by including the surfactant in the liquid composition, since the compartments containing the liquid must be free of perforated holes. Thus, according to another embodiment, the liquid composition comprises a surfactant. Another advantage of having the surfactant in the liquid phase is to avoid problems of loading the surfactant on the solid material. Another advantage is that the surfactant is released with a certain delay with respect to the solid composition, which allows a better performance of the bleach and enzymes, which can be adversely affected by the interaction between the surfactant and the surfaces of the crockery, cutlery and glassware.

Preferably the perfume is introduced into the solid composition, piercing and allowing the release of the perfume before using the product in the dishwasher.

The films practically insoluble in cold water and soluble in hot water have a relatively low moisture and plasticizer content, so the film would require an important time and temperature for heat sealing. These requirements can cause damage to the film, so that for example the holes drilled at the point where the film is stretched on the mold can cause a spill, appearance

especially problematic in the case of bags containing liquid. Therefore, it is preferred that the compartments made of films basically insoluble in cold water and soluble in hot water and which contain liquids are sealed using solvent, which partially hydrates the film before sealing, reducing the time and temperature required for sealing , generating solid joints and avoiding the formation of holes. In the preferred embodiment of bags with differential solubility having a compartment comprising a liquid composition and another compartment comprising a powder composition, wherein the liquid compartment is made of material basically insoluble in cold water and soluble in hot water and the Powder compartment is made of material that is soluble in cold water, it is preferred that the liquid compartment is sealed by solvent sealing, while the liquid compartment is sealed with the powder compartment by heat sealing.

Although the nature of the bagged products is such that they dissolve or disperse easily in water, the presence of disintegrating agents, such as effervescent sources, water swellable polymers or clays, in the bag itself, and / or in the product may be preferred. contained therein, specifically, effervescent sources based on an acid and a carbonate source. Suitable acids include organic carboxylic acids such as fumaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid and citric acid; Suitable carbonate sources include sodium carbonate, bicarbonate and percarbonate salts. Preferred levels for disintegration aids or effervescence sources, or for both, are 0.05% to 15%, even 0.2% to 10% or even 0.3% to 5%, in weight of the total bagged composition.

Examples:

Abbreviations used in the examples

In the examples, abbreviated component identifications have the following meanings:

Carbonate

: Anhydrous sodium carbonate

STPP

: Sodium tripolyphosphate

Silicate

: Amorphous sodium silicate (SiO2: Na2O = 2: 1 to 4: 1)

HEDP

: Ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid

Perborate

: Sodium perborate monohydrate

Percarbonate

: Sodium percarbonate of nominal formula 2Na2CO3.3H2O2

Carbonate

: Anhydrous sodium carbonate

Termamyl

: a-amylase marketed by Novo Nordisk A / S

Savinase

 : Protease marketed by Novo Nordisk A / S

FN3

: Protease marketed by Genencor

SLF18

 : Poly-Tergent® marketed by BASF

ACNI

: Non-ionic terminal surfactant protected with alkyl of formula C9 / 11 H19 / 23 EO8-cyclohexyl acetal

C14AO

: Tetradecyl Dimethylamine Oxide

C16AO

: Hexadecyl dimethylamine oxide

Duramyl

: a-amylase marketed by Novo Nordisk A / S

DPM

: Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether

DPG

: dipropylene glycol

Methocel

: Cellulosic thickener marketed by Dow Chemical

In the following examples all levels are expressed as percent (%) by weight.

Examples 1 to 8

The compositions of Examples 1 to 4 are introduced into a rectangular base bag with two compartment PVA layer. The bag with two compartments is made of a Monosol M8630 film supplied by Chris-Craft Industrial Products. 17.2 g of the particulate composition and 4 g of the liquid composition are placed in the two different compartments of the bag. The dimensions of the bag under a load of 19.6 N (2 kg) are: length 3.7 cm, width 3.4 cm and height 1.5 cm. The longitudinal / transverse dimensional ratio is therefore 1.5: 3.2 or 1: 2.47. The bag is manufactured using an endless two-surface process, both surfaces moving in a continuous horizontal rectilinear motion as described herein. According to this procedure, a first band of bags is prepared by forming and filling a first band of open bags in motion mounted on the first endless surface and closing the first band of open bags with the second band of full and sealed bags that are move synchronously with it.

The bag is inserted into the 25 ml dispensing compartment of a Bosch Siemens 6032 dishwasher, the dispenser is closed and the dishwasher is regulated in its normal program at 55 ° C.

Example

one 2 3 4

Composition in the form of particles C14 AO

5 5

C16 AO

5 5

ACNI SLF18

5 5 5 5

STPP

55  55  56  56

HEDP

one one one one

Termamyl

 1.5 1.5

FN3

2 2

Percarbonate

 fifteen fifteen 15.5 15.5

Carbonate

 9 9 10 10

Silicate

6 6 7 7

Fragrance

0.5  0.5  0.5  0.5

Liquid composition

DPG

99.5 99.5 95 95

Liquid FN3

2.6 2.4

Duramyl liquid

2.0 2.4

Dye

0.5  0.5  0.4  0.2

Example

5 6 7 8

Particle Composition

STPP

60  60  61  61

HEDP

one one one one

Termamyl

 1.5 1.5

FN3

2 2

Percarbonate

 17 17 17.5 17.5

Carbonate

eleven  eleven  12  12

Silicate

7 7 8 8

Fragrance

0.5  0.5  0.5  0.5

Liquid composition

DPG

59.5 59.5 55 55

Liquid FN3

2.6 2.4

Duramyl liquid

2.0 2.4

C14 AO

twenty twenty

C16 AO

twenty  twenty

ACNI

twenty  twenty

SLF18

twenty twenty

Dye

0.5  0.5  0.4  0.2

Claims (15)

one.

A method for washing dishes, cutlery and glassware in a dishwasher using a machine dishwashing product in the form of a water-soluble bag comprising a plurality of compartments in generally superimposed relationship, each of the compartments containing one or more more detergent active components or auxiliary components, wherein the bag has a first compartment comprising a liquid composition in which the liquid composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant, and a second compartment comprising a powder composition wherein the weight ratio between the liquid and solid composition is from 1:30 to 30: 1, wherein the bag comprises generally opposite upper and lower outer walls, a side wall as an edge and one or more walls of internal division and where each of said upper and lower outer walls and said edge side wall are formed by thermocon formation, vacuum forming or a combination thereof and where the product for machine dishwashing is placed inside the dishwasher dispenser and is released during the main cycle of the dishwashing process.

2.

A method according to claim 1, wherein each internal partition wall is fixed to an outer or side wall of the bag along a single sealing line or to both an outer wall and a side wall of the bag at along a plurality of sealing lines that are not at least partially overlapping.

3.

A method according to claims 1 or 2, wherein each partition wall is fixed to one or more exterior or side walls by heat sealing or solvent sealing.

Four.

A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one internal partition wall is fixed to an upper or lower outer wall along a first continuous joint line and one or both of said outer wall and said partition wall are fixed to the side wall as an edge along a second continuous joint line and where the joint lines in the case of heat sealing basically do not overlap and in the case of solvent sealing, at least partially they are not superimposed.

5.

A method according to claim 4, having a longitudinally extending waist region defined by said first and second joint lines, said first joint line or non-overlapping part thereof located within the second joint line and longitudinally outside it, where the waist region and the side wall as a border generally co-extend with each other.

6.

A method of washing dishes, cutlery and glassware in a dishwasher using a machine dishwashing product in the form of a water-soluble bag comprising a plurality of compartments in generally superimposed relationship, each compartment containing one or more active substances detergents or auxiliary components, in which the bag has a first compartment comprising a liquid composition and a second compartment comprising a powder composition, wherein the weight ratio between the liquid and the solid composition is from 1:30 to 30 : 1, wherein the bag comprises generally opposite upper and lower outer walls, an edge-like side wall and one or more internal partition walls in which at least one internal partition wall is fixed to an upper or lower outer wall along a first joint line and one or both of said outer wall and said partition wall are fixed to the side wall as an edge along a second joint line and in which the joint lines at least partially do not overlap, and where the product for machine dishwashing is placed inside the dispenser from the dishwasher and is released during the main cycle of the dishwashing process.

7.

A method according to claim 6, which has a longitudinally extending waist region defined by said first and second joint lines, said first joint line or non-overlapping part thereof located within the second joint line and longitudinally outside it, where the waist region and the side wall as a border generally co-extend with each other.

8.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments comprises a powder composition comprising particulate bleach.

9.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments comprises a liquid composition comprising detergency enzyme.

10.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments comprises a composition in the form of paste, gel or wax.

eleven.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the plurality of compartments comprises an organic solvent system effective to remove stains from cooked, baked or burned foods, and wherein the organic solvent system is selected from alcohols, amines, esters, glycol ethers, glycols, terpenes and mixtures thereof.

12.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of compartments has a disintegration rate or a different dissolution profile under conditions of use.

13.

A method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the compartments is made of a material that is basically insoluble in cold water at 20 ° C or less and soluble in hot water at 30 ° C or more and preferably wherein At least one other compartment is made of a material that is soluble in cold water at 20 ° C or less.

A method according to claim 12 or 13 comprising a first compartment containing a liquid composition and a second compartment containing a densified powder or powder composition, said first compartment being made of a hot water soluble material and being made said second compartment of a cold water soluble material. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the liquid composition comprises a detergency enzyme or a surfactant. 16. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the weight ratio between the liquid and the solid composition is 1: 1 to 1:25 and preferably 1:15 to 1:20.