FR2997402A1 - Water-soluble film, useful for packaging solid composition e.g. food product including e.g. salt, pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic composition or detergent, comprises thickener, plasticizer, gelling agent, and texturizing agent - Google Patents

Abstract

Water-soluble film comprises a thickener, a plasticizer, a gelling agent and a texturizing agent. Independent claims are included for: (1) fabricating the water-soluble film comprising mixing the components to obtain a film forming composition, spreading the composition, and drying the composition to obtain the water-soluble film, where the mixing step comprises dissolving the gelling agent in an aqueous solution (S1) at a temperature of higher than 25[deg] C, dissolving the texturizing agent in an aqueous solution (S2) at a temperature that is higher than a room temperature, mixing the solutions for obtaining solution (S3), adding the plasticizer in the solution (S3), and adding the thickener in the solution (S3) for obtaining the film forming composition; (2) the film forming composition comprising the thickener, the plasticize, the gelling agent and the texturizing agent for the fabrication of water-soluble film; and (3) a package comprising the film.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a water-soluble film comprising at least one thickener, at least one plasticizer, at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer. The present invention also relates to the film-forming solution for obtaining the film of the invention and a process for producing the film. The invention further relates to a package comprising the film of the invention and capable of containing a solid composition. The nature of the film of the invention, in particular the presence of at least one thickener, makes it possible to modulate the viscosity of the liquid composition obtained by dissolving said film in an aqueous solution. STATE OF THE ART Solid compositions, especially when they are in the form of powder or granules or any other particulate form, require a package to protect them, to allow their handling and transport. The packaging must be such that the use of these compositions is easy and fast. In particular, in the case of a solid composition in particulate form, the packaging must prevent any accidental spillage that may occur when the package is removed before use. The reduction of waste is also a problem that must be taken into account in the development of packaging. In the case of solid compositions proposed in the form of doses, an overpack is often necessary to package several doses in the same package. Overpackage limitation is an environmental issue. In addition, some solid compositions must be rehydrated before use. This is the case in the food sector for example for freeze-dried coffee or dehydrated soup; in the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical field for the reconstitution of oral preparations; or in the field of detergents for detergents and cleaning products. In the field of food packaging, with the increase in travel and the reduction of meal times, the demand for individual portions and prepared or quick-cooking dishes is becoming stronger. There is therefore a need for new products capable of meeting this demand. The use of a water-soluble packaging for conditioning solid compositions requiring to be hydrated before use has the advantage of avoiding having to remove the packaging before use and to limit the waste since the package disappears by dissolution. The product packaged in a water-soluble packaging can be used directly, without being unpacked, by dissolution in an aqueous solution: the package dissolves and releases its contents into the solution. The use is facilitated and saves time. Water-soluble films have already been proposed in the prior art for conditioning solid food compositions. EP 0 783 839 discloses an edible and water-soluble bag for wrapping food. The film described in this patent application contains at least 67% of carboxymethylcellulose, between 10 and 30% of plasticizer, and between 0.5 to 2.5% of gelatin. The document EP 0 783 839 specifies that the ingredients used for the manufacture of the film have no influence on the food product contained in the bag, at the time of dissolution in hot water, in particular on its color, on its odor , on its taste and texture.

WO 2009/085692 discloses edible films comprising a polysaccharide and carboxymethylcellulose. The films of this patent application are for packaging food and are dissolved in water before use. The films described have good mechanical properties and dissolve well in water.

Document FR 2,087,185 describes edible and water-soluble packaging for wrapping food. The package described in FR 2,087,185 is composed of gelatin and optionally thickeners, plasticizers, dyes, perfumes, preservatives and various additives. Document FR 2,087,185 specifies that the package described may participate in the nutritional value of the food it contains.

In the majority of cases, the water-soluble packages of the prior art have no influence on the product reconstituted by hydration. In other words, the presence of the package dissolved in the liquid composition obtained by hydration of the solid composition has no influence on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of said liquid composition. However, in the case of the patent application FR 2,087,185, the dissolution of the package can participate in the nutritional value of the food it contains. It may be desirable to modulate the viscosity of a liquid composition obtained by the hydration of a solid composition, for example depending on the use that is desired and / or depending on the user. For example, in the case of the rehydration of a dehydrated soup, the user may wish to obtain a broth or velvety texture. Similarly, during the rehydration of a sauce, the user may wish to obtain a juice or a smooth sauce. In the pharmaceutical field, it may be desirable to thicken the texture of a reconstituted oral solution depending on the swallowing problems that a patient may have. From the point of view of production, it is preferable that the modulation of the viscosity uses an element external to the solid composition to be hydrated. Thus, the same solid composition could lead to different textures of liquid compositions.

Thus, there is a need for a means for modulating the viscosity of a liquid composition obtained by hydration of a solid composition without having to modify the constituents of said solid composition. In response to this need, the Applicant proposes to use a water-soluble film for packaging the solid composition, the nature of the water-soluble film being such that the viscosity of the liquid composition obtained by hydration of the solid composition in an aqueous solution is modified by the dissolving said packaging film. Modulation of the viscosity of the liquid composition is done by dissolving all or part of the packaging film. Thus, some increase in viscosity can be achieved by adding the entire package while lower viscosity is achieved by dissolving only a portion of the package. The Applicant has shown that films comprising at least one thickener, at least one plasticizer, at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer are water-soluble, can serve as packaging and have the desired effect on the viscosity of the final liquid composition. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, the Applicant assumes that the presence of the various constituents mentioned above in film produce the following effects in particular: the presence of a thickener in the film of the invention would make it possible to modulate the viscosity of the liquid composition obtained by dissolving the film in an aqueous solution. Another effect of the presence of thickener would be to allow the stiffening of the film to give it three-dimensional structures more or less complex; the presence of a gelling agent in the film of the invention would make it possible to modulate the consistency and render it heat-sealable; the presence of a plasticizer in the film of the invention would make it possible to modulate the percentage of elongation that can support the film and thus to improve its mechanical properties. Moreover, the presence of a plasticizer in a film makes it possible to improve its solidity and to make it less crisp, as shown by Schou (Schou M., Longares A., Montesinos-Herrero C., Monahan FJ, O'Riordan D. and O'Sullivan M., MWT, 2005, 38, 605-610); the presence of a texturizer in the film of the invention would make it possible to modulate its elasticity and thus to improve its mechanical properties.

The film of the invention and the packages that it makes it possible to obtain have the following advantages in particular: the film of the invention makes it possible to vary the final texture of the liquid composition obtained after the dissolution of the film in an aqueous solution; depending on the desired viscosity of the finished product, the solid composition is hydrated without or with part or all of the film; the film has good strength and good storage at room temperature; the film of the invention makes it possible to protect the products for which it serves as packaging, in particular, it makes it possible to protect them against microbiological contamination, oxidation and makes it possible to preserve their flavors in the case of food products; the method of manufacturing the film is simple to implement; the film allows easy and rapid use and dosing of the solid composition it contains; the shapes and colors that can be envisaged are very wide and make it possible to vary the presentation of the products for which the film serves as packaging; when the film of the invention is used as packaging, it contributes to reducing the amount of waste since it is water-soluble, and biodegradable. SUMMARY The present invention relates to a water-soluble film comprising at least one thickener, at least one plasticizer, at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer.

According to one embodiment, the film of the invention has a thickener concentration ranging from 40% to 60% w / w relative to the total mass of film, said thickener being preferably guar. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention has a plasticizer concentration ranging from 0.005% to 0.015% w / w, said plasticizer being preferably glycerol. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention has a gelling concentration ranging from 10% to 30% w / w, said gelling agent being preferably gelatin. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention has a texturing concentration ranging from 2% to 6% w / w, said texturizer being preferably konjac.

According to one embodiment, the film of the invention is a film in which at least one thickener is guar, at least one plasticizer is glycerol, at least one gelling agent is gelatin and at least one texturing agent is konjac. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the film according to the invention, comprising: mixing the components of the film to give a film-forming composition, comprising: o dissolving at least one gelling agent in an aqueous solution 51 at a higher temperature at 25 ° C; o dissolving at least one texturizer in an aqueous solution S2 at a temperature above room temperature; o mixing the aqueous solutions 51 and S2 to give the solution S3; o the addition of at least one plasticizer in the solution S3; adding at least one thickener to the preceding solution to give the film-forming composition; spreading the film-forming composition; drying the spread film-forming composition to give the film according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a film-forming composition comprising at least one thickener, at least one plasticizer, at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer for the manufacture of the film according to the invention. The present invention also relates to a package comprising the film according to the invention. According to one embodiment, the package according to the invention comprises a solid composition, preferably a solid composition in the form of powder, granules, pellets, solid particles, aggregates, pieces or any other solid form. According to one embodiment, the package according to the invention takes a solid composition, said solid composition being a food product, such as, for example, salt, sugar, spices, condiments, seasonings, dehydrated sauce, dehydrated soup, dehydrated fruit juice, milk powder, cocoa powder, tea powder, coffee powder, rice, pasta, pulses, flour, dehydrated food preparation or a mixture of these products; a detergent; an active ingredient, a pharmaceutical composition or a cosmetic composition or a mixture of these products. The present invention also relates to a method of packaging solid compositions characterized in that one surrounds said solid compositions of film according to the invention.

DEFINITIONS In the present invention, the terms below are defined as follows: "film" relates to a thin film. "Water-soluble" is defined as substances which are soluble in an aqueous solution, preferably in water. "Thickener" relates to a substance for increasing the viscosity of a composition. "Gelling agent" refers to a substance intended to form a three-dimensional mesh. "Plasticizer" relates to a substance intended to increase the ability of a material to be modeled. "Texturizer" relates to a substance for modifying the physical properties of a composition, particularly in the present invention, a texturizer can improve the elasticity of a composition. "Film-forming composition" relates to a composition that can give a film by evaporation of the solvent (s) it contains. - "aqueous solution" relates to a liquid phase comprising mainly water. "Spreading" refers to spreading a substance on a surface. "Packaging" means any object, container or material used for or in connection with the packaging, transportation, handling, protection, promotion, marketing or sale of any product or substance. "Cosmetic composition" refers to a composition placed in contact with various superficial parts of the body, such as the skin, the hair, the nails, the lips or the teeth, exclusively or mainly for the purpose of cleaning, protecting, perfuming and maintaining them in good condition condition or change their appearance and / or odor. A cosmetic composition has no effect below the barrier of the epidermis. "Pharmaceutical composition" relates to a composition comprising an active ingredient in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A pharmaceutical composition has a therapeutic use, and relates to health. In particular, a pharmaceutical composition may be recommended for treating or preventing a disease. According to the invention, the term "treating a disease" refers to reducing or avoiding at least one bad effect or symptom of a disease, disorder or condition associated with a deficiency of the function of an organ, d a tissue or cell. The term "preventing a disease" refers to avoiding or preventing the appearance of symptoms. "Detergent" refers to a substance that removes grease and other soiling from the surface of materials. Detergents are used to clean, degrease and disinfect. "Gel" relates to a thermodynamically stable solid-liquid biphasic system consisting of a continuous three-dimensional continuous interpenetrating network, one solid, the other liquid. "Hot-water-soluble" refers to a substance soluble in an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution having a temperature greater than or equal to 40 ° C. "Cold-soluble" refers to a substance soluble in an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution having a temperature below 40 ° C.

Unless otherwise indicated, the amounts are given as a percentage by mass relative to the total mass of film or composition (% m / m). DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a water-soluble film, its method of manufacture and packages comprising the film of the invention. The film of the invention makes it possible to modulate the viscosity of the liquid composition obtained by dissolving in an aqueous solution of the film of the invention. Composition of the Film of the Invention Thickener In one embodiment, the film of the invention comprises at least one thickener.

In one embodiment, the thickener is selected from the group consisting of natural polysaccharides such as guar, gum arabic, xanthan, tragacanth or carob; carrageenans; starches and their derivatives, such as, for example, modified corn starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose or methylhydroxypropylcellulose. In a preferred embodiment, the thickener is guar. Guar is a food additive (E412) of vegetable origin frequently used in the food industry as a thickener. Guar is neutral in taste, hydrosoluble hot and cold and can lighten certain preparations by replacing starch, sugar or some fat. Guar is insensitive to pH and is not very sensitive to temperature variations. It is one of the most powerful thickeners among those used in agribusiness. In one embodiment, the thickener in the film of the invention has a concentration ranging from 40 to 60% by weight relative to the total mass of film (% 15 m / m), preferably from 45 to 55%. m / m, more preferably 51% w / w. Plasticizer In one embodiment, the film of the invention comprises at least one plasticizer. In one embodiment, the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of glycerol; sorbitol; mannitol; xylitol; sucrose and its derivatives; propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol and their derivatives; various sugars and their derivatives such as sucroglycerides, glycerol acetates, fructose or sucrose; natural gums. In a preferred embodiment, the plasticizer is glycerol. Glycerol (or 1,2,3-propanetriol) is a food additive (E422). Glycerol is commonly used in the food industry as a plasticizer.

In one embodiment, the plasticizer in the film of the invention has a concentration ranging from 0.005 to 0.015% by weight with respect to the total mass of film (% m / m), preferably from 0.008 to 0.012 m / m more preferably 0.01% w / w. Gelling agent In one embodiment, the film of the invention comprises at least one gelling agent. In one embodiment, the gelling agent is selected from the group consisting of gelatin; pectin; gellan; algae derivatives such as agars, alginates, or furcellarans; and orthophosphoric acid. In a preferred embodiment, the gelling agent is gelatin. Gelatin (E441) is one of the most popular gelling agents in the food industry. Mixed with water, gelatin forms a semi-solid colloidal gel. Gelatin does not taste. Gelatin is one of the main constituents of capsules containing drugs and is also known for its use in non-food areas such as cosmetics or medicine.

According to one embodiment, the gelatin used is derived from various raw materials, for example bone, skin or any collagenic product of bovine, porcine or marine origin. In one embodiment, the gelatin may be a complex mixture of gelatin with different characteristics. According to one embodiment, the gelatin may be a chemically modified gelatin.

In a particular embodiment, the gelling agent is not a carrageenan. In one embodiment, the gelling agent in the film of the invention has a concentration ranging from 10 to 30% by weight relative to the total mass of film (% w / w), preferably between 17 and 27% w / w. m, more preferably 23% m / m. Texturizer In one embodiment, the film of the invention comprises at least one texturizer.

In one embodiment, the texturizer is selected from the group consisting of konjac or glucomannans. In a preferred embodiment, the texturizer is konjac. Konjac is a water-soluble polysaccharide of vegetable origin, used as a low-calorie food additive (E425). Konjac has the advantage of not being thermoreversible. In one embodiment, the texturizer in the film of the invention has a concentration ranging from 2 to 6% by weight relative to the total mass of film (% m / m), preferably from 3 to 5% by weight. m, more preferably 4% w / w. In one embodiment, the film comprises at least one thickener, at least one plasticizer, at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer. In one embodiment, the film comprises at least one thickener which is guar, at least one plasticizer which is glycerol, at least one gelling agent which is gelatin and at least one texturizer which is konjac.

In one embodiment, the film comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols such as ethanol, preferably the film of the invention comprises water. In one embodiment, the water content in the film of the invention does not exceed 20% water by weight relative to the total mass of film (% m / m), preferably the water content in the film. the film is between 1.5% and 15% m / m. According to a particular embodiment, the water content in the film is between 2% and 5% w / w. According to another particular embodiment, the water content in the film is between 6% and 17% w / w, preferably 13% w / w. In one embodiment, the film of the invention further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of excipients; lubricants; tampons; stabilizers; pigments; dyes, preferably food dyes; the flavors, preferably the food flavorings; the charges ; sweeteners; the perfumes ; diluents; binders; absorbents; anti-adherents; acidulants; softeners; surfactants; solvents; emulsifiers; elastomers; the humectants; moisturizers; conservatives ; dispersants; or any other additive known to those skilled in the art or a mixture of these additives.

In one embodiment, the emulsifiers and dispersants can be, for example, derivatives of fatty substances such as the mono- and diglycerides of stearic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids; mixed acetic and tartaric esters of mono-and diglycerides of dietary fatty acids; reaction products of fatty acids on sorbitol; polysorbates; various more or less complex sugars such as sucrose, lactose, maltodextrins; Lecithins and derivatives of poyglycerol esters of lactalbumin phosphates. According to one embodiment, the preserving agents make it possible to protect chemical and / or biological alterations and may be, for example, anti-oxygens, anti-yeasts, bacteriostats. In particular, the preservatives may be sorbic, benzoic and priopionic acids and their salts, ethyl pyrocarbonate, antibiotics such as pimaricin, anti-oxygen compounds such as ascorbic acid and esters of gallic acid . In one embodiment, the film of the invention further comprises a food additive such as for example mineral salts, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, enzymatic compositions, lipid compounds or a mixture of these compounds. In one embodiment, the film of the invention comprises only compounds authorized in the food field. In another embodiment, the film of the invention comprises only compounds authorized in the cosmetic field. In one embodiment, the film of the invention comprises only compounds that are authorized in the pharmaceutical field. In one embodiment, the quantities used of the various constituents of the film of the invention are compatible with the standards and / or legislation in force, in particular the standards and / or legislation in force in the field of food processing, cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical. According to one embodiment, the water-soluble film of the invention does not comprise a thermo-reversible gel-forming agent when said film is placed in the presence of an aqueous solution. According to another embodiment, the water-soluble film of the invention comprises a thermo-reversible gel-forming agent when said film is placed in the presence of an aqueous solution. In a particular embodiment, the film of the invention does not contain carrageenan. In a particular embodiment, the film of the invention does not include carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). In one embodiment, the film of the invention is of low caloric content, preferably of a calorie content. In one embodiment, the film of the invention has a neutral taste. Film Characteristics of the Invention In one embodiment, the film of the invention may be used for the manufacture of a package, particularly a package that may contain a solid composition. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention has suitable physicochemical and mechanical properties: the conditioning of solid compositions and their use; The packaging technique which requires more or less marked qualities of flexibility, tensile strength, heat sealing, impermeability, etc. ; subsequent treatment of packaged products, in particular their handling and storage. In one embodiment, the film is heat sealable. In a particular embodiment, two films according to the invention are heat-sealed in order to form a bag.

According to one embodiment, the film of the invention is homogeneous. In one embodiment, the film is manipulable without any particular precaution. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention is flexible. According to another embodiment, the film of the invention is rigid.

Mechanical Properties According to one embodiment, the film of the invention has good mechanical properties, in particular when the film of the invention is used as a packaging, it has good resistance to the operations of formation, filling, transport and conservation.

According to one embodiment, the film according to the invention has good elasticity and resistance. According to one embodiment, the mechanical properties of the film of the invention are measured according to the ASTM criteria (American Society for Testing and Materials). According to one embodiment, the tensile strength of the film of the invention can be measured according to ASTM D882, ASTM D828 and / or ASTM D638. According to one embodiment, the tensile force applicable to the film can be measured using an Instron 4301 with a 100N load cell. According to one embodiment, the percentage of elongation to rupture of the film can be measured using an Instron 4301 with a 100N load cell. According to another embodiment, the percentage of elongation to rupture of the film can be measured using a Shenzen tensiometer. Moisture content and permeability In one embodiment, the film of the invention has a water content ranging from 6 to 10% water by weight relative to the total mass of film (m / m), preferably from 7 to 9% 25 m / m. According to another embodiment, the film of the invention has a water content ranging from 6 to 17% w / w relative to the total mass of the film, preferably 13% w / w. According to one embodiment, the water content of the film of the invention is determined gravimetrically by drying the samples at 105 ° C. in an oven for 24 hours. According to one embodiment, the water vapor permeability of the film of the invention is determined according to the ASTM-E96 measurement method. The principle of this measurement is to measure the variation of mass of a film as a function of time, and this under controlled atmosphere (relative humidity and temperature). A measuring cell containing a desiccant is closed by the film to be evaluated. The cell is placed under a controlled atmosphere and weighed at different time intervals. The determination of the mass variation allows an evaluation of the water transfer rate through the film. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention constitutes a microbiological barrier. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention envelops a solid composition and prevents microbiological contamination of said solid composition.

Dissolution Properties In one embodiment, the film of the invention is water soluble. In one embodiment, the film is water-soluble when hot. In one embodiment, the film is water-soluble cold. According to one embodiment, the film according to the invention is capable of rapidly dissolving in water, preferably in hot water. According to one embodiment, the dissolution time of the film of the invention in water is between 0 min and 5 min, preferably between 0.5 min and 3 min, more preferably the dissolution time is less than 2. minutes. Advantageously, the dissolution is done under slight agitation.

In a preferred embodiment, the presence of at least one thickener in the film of the invention makes it possible to modify the viscosity of the liquid composition obtained by dissolving said film in an aqueous solution. In a preferred embodiment, the dissolution of all or part of the film of the invention in an aqueous solution increases the viscosity of said aqueous solution. According to one embodiment, the liquid composition obtained after dissolution in water of the film of the invention has a viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 6 mPa.s at 30 ° C., preferably from 4 to 5 mPa.s at 30 ° C. According to one embodiment, the viscosity of the liquid composition obtained after dissolution in the water of the film of the invention is measured using a viscometer, preferably a Haake VT550-mobile NV-DYN viscometer. According to one embodiment, the viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 500 rpm at 30 ° C.

According to one embodiment, the dissolution in water of the film of the invention does not lead to the formation of a gel. Size and shape In one embodiment, the dimensions of the film of the invention are such that it has a surface area of from 4 cm 2 to 225 cm 2, preferably from 25 cm 2 to 49 cm 2. In one embodiment, the film has a thickness ranging from 0.01 to 2 mm, preferably from 0.01 to 0.5 mm, more preferably from 0.1 to 0.3 mm. The term film is not limiting for its form. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention is plane. According to a particular embodiment, the film of the invention is in the form of a sheet. According to another embodiment, the film of the invention has a three-dimensional structure. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the film is in the form of a sphere portion, preferably a half-sphere. Color In one embodiment, the film of the invention is transparent. In one embodiment, the film of the invention is translucent.

According to one embodiment, the transparency of the film of the invention is measured by UV spectroscopy. In one embodiment, the film of the invention is colorless. In another embodiment, the film of the invention comprises a dye.

In one embodiment, the film of the invention is edible. According to one embodiment, the film of the invention comprises only edible constituents, preferably edible constituents accepted in the agri-food field.

In one embodiment, the aqueous solution in which the film of the invention is dissolved may be water, broth, sauce, milk, alcohol or emulsion. The present invention also relates to a package comprising the film of the invention. In one embodiment, the package of the invention comprises only the film of the invention. In another embodiment, the package of the invention comprises the film of the invention and at least one other material. According to one embodiment, the package of the invention is obtained by heat-sealing the film of the invention. Advantageously, the sealing edge has a width to ensure the tightness of the package.

According to one embodiment, the packaging according to the invention makes it possible to improve the presentation of the products it contains, in particular by the various and attractive shapes that it is possible to give to the film of the invention. The term packaging is not limiting for its form. In one embodiment, the package is in the form of a sachet, an envelope, a capsule, a capsule or a shell. In a particular embodiment, the package of the invention is in the form of a bag. The bag can be obtained by heat sealing two sheets of film of the invention. The bag can also be obtained by heat sealing a folded sheet of film. In another particular embodiment, the package is in the form of a hollow sphere. A hollow sphere can be obtained by heat-sealing two films of the invention in the form of hollow half-spheres. In one embodiment, the package of the invention contains a solid composition. According to one embodiment, the size of the package is not critical. The size of the package depends on the amount and density of the solid composition to be wrapped. In one embodiment, the package contains an amount of solid composition ranging from 1g to 100g, preferably from 10g to 60g. In one embodiment, the package makes it possible to keep a solid composition at least 6 days at room temperature without alteration of said composition, preferably at least 1 month, more preferably at least 6 months. In one embodiment, the package of the invention is edible. According to a particular embodiment, the package is edible and contains an edible solid composition, preferably a solid food composition to be hydrated and / or solubilized in an aqueous medium before consumption.

According to one embodiment, the package of the invention envelops a solid composition. In a particular embodiment, when a package of the invention wrapping a solid composition is placed in an aqueous solution, all of the package and the solid composition dissolve in the aqueous solution. According to another particular embodiment, when a package of the invention enveloping a solid composition is placed in an aqueous solution, part of the package and / or part of the solid composition is dissolved in the aqueous solution. According to another particular embodiment, when a package of the invention enveloping a solid composition is placed in an aqueous solution, part of the package dissolves in the aqueous solution and the solid composition is not dissolved in the aqueous solution. aqueous solution. According to one embodiment, the package according to the invention makes it possible to modulate the texture of the liquid composition obtained by dissolving said package containing a water-soluble and / or hydratable solid composition in an aqueous solution. In particular, the packaging according to the invention makes it possible to modulate the viscosity of the liquid composition. According to one embodiment, the liquid composition obtained after dissolution in water of the package of the invention, containing a solid composition, has a viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 6 mPa.s at 30 ° C., preferably from 4 to 5 mPa.s at 30 ° C. According to one embodiment, the liquid composition obtained by dissolution in water of the package of the invention containing a solid composition has a viscosity greater than the viscosity of the liquid composition obtained by dissolution and / or hydration of the same amount. of solid composition in water.

In one embodiment, the entire package and the solid composition it contains are placed in an aqueous solution for dissolution and / or hydration. In another embodiment, only a portion of the package and all of the solid composition it contains are placed in an aqueous solution for dissolution and / or hydration. Depending on the amount of packaging dissolved in the aqueous solution, it is possible to modulate the final viscosity of the liquid composition obtained. A solid composition that can be packaged in the film of the invention According to one embodiment, the solid composition that can be contained in the film of the invention is in the form of a powder, granules, pellets, solid particles, aggregates, pieces or any other solid form. According to a particular embodiment, the solid composition that can be contained in the film is powdery. In one embodiment, the solid composition is water soluble. In one embodiment, the solid composition is partially water soluble. In one embodiment, the solid composition is not water soluble. In one embodiment, the solid composition is hydratable. In one embodiment, the solid composition has a water content of less than 20%, preferably less than 17%, more preferably less than 13%.

In one embodiment, the solid composition is edible. In another embodiment, the solid composition is not edible. In one embodiment, the solid composition can be any type of food product, such as, for example, salt, sugar, spices, condiments, seasonings, dehydrated sauce, dehydrated soup, fruit juice. dehydrated, milk powder, cocoa powder, tea powder, coffee powder, rice, pasta, pulses, flour, dehydrated food preparation or a mixture of these products. In one embodiment, the solid composition may be any soluble or hydratable food or food mixture in an aqueous solution, hot or cold. In a preferred embodiment, the solid composition may be any type of soluble food product in an aqueous medium. In a particular embodiment, the film of the invention contains cocoa powder and can be dissolved in milk. In another embodiment, the solid composition comprises an active ingredient, a pharmaceutical composition, a cosmetic composition or a detergent.

The present invention also relates to a method of packaging solid compositions characterized in that one surrounds said solid compositions of film according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for producing a water-soluble film according to the invention. In one embodiment, the process for producing the film according to the invention comprises 3 steps: mixing the components of the film to give a film-forming composition, spreading the film-forming composition, drying the film-forming composition to give the film . In one embodiment, the method further comprises a heat-sealing step of the film according to the invention. Blend of Components According to one embodiment, the step of blending the constituents of the film comprises dissolving at least one gelling agent, at least one texturizer, at least one plasticizer and thickening agent in an aqueous solution, to give the film-forming composition.

In one embodiment, at least one gelling agent is dissolved in an aqueous solution, preferably in water. According to one embodiment, the gelling agent is dissolved in a volume of aqueous solution to give a concentration ranging from 3 to 10% by weight relative to the total mass of film (% w / w), preferably 5.25% w / w. m. According to one embodiment, the gelling agent is dissolved in an aqueous solution at a temperature above 25 ° C, preferably at 100 ° C. According to a preferred embodiment, the gelling agent is gelatin. In one embodiment, at least one texturizer is dissolved in an aqueous solution, preferably in water. According to one embodiment, the texturizer is dissolved in a volume of aqueous solution to give a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 5% by weight relative to the total mass of film (% w / w), preferably 1% w / w. m. According to one embodiment, the texturizer is dissolved in an aqueous solution at a temperature above room temperature, preferably at 70 ° C. According to a preferred embodiment, the texturizer is konjac. In one embodiment, the dissolution of the gelling agent and / or the texturizer is done with stirring, preferably so that the formation of bubbles is avoided. In this embodiment, the stirring speed is not too high.

In one embodiment, the aqueous solutions comprising the gelling agent on the one hand and the texturing agent on the other hand are mixed. In one embodiment, mixing occurs when the temperature of each of the two solutions has returned to room temperature. In one embodiment, the mixture is stirred until it is homogeneous. In one embodiment, at least one plasticizer is added to the homogeneous solution comprising at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer. In one embodiment, at least one thickener is added in rain to the previous solution. In one embodiment, during the addition of the thickener, the agitation is vigorous in order to obtain a homogeneous solution. The solution finally obtained comprising at least one gelling agent, at least one texturizer, at least one plasticizer and at least one thickener is a film-forming composition. In one embodiment, any other additive included in the composition of the film of the invention may be added to the film-forming composition. Spreading of the film-forming composition According to one embodiment, the spreading of the film-forming composition with a view to obtaining the film of the invention is done on a plane support and makes it possible to obtain a flat film. According to one embodiment, the spreading of the film-forming composition in order to obtain the film of the invention is done on a support having a relief and makes it possible to obtain a three-dimensionally structured film. By way of example, the spreading can be carried out on a hemispherical support and makes it possible to obtain a film in the form of a portion of a sphere. Any other type of three-dimensional structure may be used for spreading the film-forming composition of the invention and makes it possible to obtain a film having said three-dimensional structure. In this embodiment, the spreading is performed on a smooth material, preferably crystallized polystyrene.

According to one embodiment, the spreading of the film-forming composition in order to obtain the film of the invention is carried out by imprinting. Advantageously, a thickness of film-forming composition is interposed between two molds, one of which constitutes an impression of the other. In one embodiment, the molds are previously cooled to a temperature below 0 ° C, preferably to -80 ° C, which allows the film forming composition to freeze rapidly. In one embodiment, the film-forming composition spread on the molds is cooled to a temperature below 0 ° C, preferably -80 ° C. According to another embodiment, the spreading is carried out by monolayer or multilayer. Advantageously, a thickness of film-forming composition is spread on a mold. In one embodiment, a single layer or several successive layers of film-forming composition, comprising the same constituents or not, are spread on the mold. In a particular embodiment, each layer of film-forming composition is dried at a temperature above 10 ° C, preferably above 25 ° C, more preferably at 75 ° C before spreading the next layer. According to one embodiment, the spreading of the film-forming composition is carried out using a dropper or with a spatula according to the texture of the film-forming composition.

Drying In one embodiment, the spread film-forming composition is dried to obtain the film of the invention. In one embodiment, the drying time is between 10 min and 48 h, preferably between 6 and 8 h, more preferably the drying time is 6 h. In one embodiment, the drying time is adapted according to the desired final water content in the film and / or depending on the drying technique used. According to one embodiment, the drying is carried out under a fume hood at room temperature.

According to one embodiment, the drying is carried out under vacuum, preferably at a temperature ranging from 0 to 100 ° C, more preferably from 40 to 50 ° C. According to one embodiment, the drying is carried out in an oven, preferably at a temperature ranging from 25 to 80.degree. C., more preferably from 25 to 70.degree.

Heat Sealing In one embodiment, the film is heat sealed using a heat sealer, preferably of the Impulse sealer 5MI400 type. In one embodiment, heat sealing the film forms a package for a solid composition. According to one embodiment, the heat-sealing is performed after filling with a solid composition. Film-forming composition The present invention also relates to a film-forming composition making it possible to obtain the film of the invention. According to one embodiment, the film-forming composition is an aqueous solution. In one embodiment, the film-forming composition is liquid. In another embodiment, the film-forming composition has the texture of an ointment. According to one embodiment, the film-forming composition comprises at least one thickener, at least one plasticizer, at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer. According to a particular embodiment, the film-forming composition comprises guar, glycerol, gelatin, konjac and water. In one embodiment, the film-forming composition has a thickener concentration ranging from 1% to 15% by weight relative to the total film mass (% w / w), preferably from 3 to 7% w / w, more preferably from 5.0% to 5.2% w / w. In one embodiment, the film-forming composition has a plasticizer concentration ranging from 0.0001% to 0.001% by weight based on the total film mass (% w / w), preferably from 0.0002 to 0.0007. % m / m. According to a particular embodiment, the film-forming composition has a plasticizer concentration of 0.0003% w / w. According to another particular embodiment, the film-forming composition has a plasticizer concentration of 0.0006% w / w.

In one embodiment, the film-forming composition has a texturing concentration ranging from 0.05% to 3% by weight relative to the total film mass (% w / w), preferably from 0.1% to 1%, 5% w / w, more preferably 0.4% to 0.6% w / w. In one embodiment, the film-forming composition has a gelling concentration of from 0.5% to 7% by weight based on the total film mass (% w / w), preferably from 1% to 5% w / w. / m, more preferably from 2% to 3% w / w. According to one embodiment, the film-forming composition further comprises any additive entering into the composition of the film of the invention. In one embodiment, the film-forming composition is liquid. In another embodiment, the film-forming composition has the texture of an ointment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a graph showing the evolution of the water content of films I and II according to the invention as a function of their drying time. Figure 2 is a graph showing the evolution of the water content of a dehydrated soup not wrapped or contained in a type I or type II film according to the invention. FIG. 3 is a comparative graph between the viscosity of water and the viscosity of an aqueous solution obtained by dissolving a type I or type II film according to the invention in water. EXAMPLES The present invention will be better understood by reading the following examples which illustrate, without limitation, the invention. Example 1: Films I and II - manufacture and application to the packaging of a dehydrated soup Film 1. 2.37 g of gelatin are dissolved in 45.1 g of water at 100 ° C. 0.47 g of konjac are dissolved in 47.1 g of water at 70 ° C. Each of the solutions is agitated so that it is homogeneous and bubble-free. As soon as the gelatin and konjac solutions have returned to room temperature, they are mixed. Once the mixture is homogeneous, 0.0006 g of glycerol are dissolved therein. 5.14 g of guar are then added in rain. The film-forming composition obtained is then stirred vigorously for homogenization and an ointment-type texture is obtained. Different modes of spreading of the film-forming solution have been made to form films according to the invention: spreading to form half-spheres by monolayer or multilayer: the spreading of the film-forming composition is carried out directly using a spatula on the back of a silicone mold of hemispherical shape on 1 mm thick. According to the same principle, "multilayer" spreading tests were carried out with a brush alternating the application of a layer and the drying thereof under a hot air flow (about 75 ° C.), during about ten seconds. spreading to form a flat film: the film-forming composition is spread in a petri dish 90 mm in diameter, 1 mm thick by spatula or dropper pipette. In order to facilitate take-off, it is preferable that the composition marry the edges of the box. Finally, the drying of the spread compositions was carried out under a class B suction hood, of the "Sorbonne" type (Standard NFX 15-210) at room temperature for 6 hours.

Type I films are flat films in the form of a disc and are obtained by spreading in a crystallized polystyrene Petri dish. Composition of film I: Constituents Film-forming composition Film after drying mass (g)% m / m mass (g)% m / m Gelatin 2.37 2.37 2.37 25.84 Konjac 0.47 0.47 0.47 5.13 Glycerol 0.0006 0.0006 0.0006 0.0065 Guar 5,14 5,14 5,14 56,06 Water 92,2 92,2 1.19 12.98 Type I films were used to package soup . An Impulse sealer SMI400 heat sealer was used. An amount of dehydrated soup of about 5 g was introduced into the film prior to heat sealing. The soup powder does not adhere to the film. Movie II. The film II, of composition detailed in the table below, was prepared according to the same procedure of mixing, spreading and drying as for the film I described above: Constituents Film-forming composition Film after drying mass (g)% m / m mass (g)% m / m Gelatin 2.5 2.5 2.37 72.6 Konjac 0.5 0.5 0.47 14.4 Glycerol 0.0006 0.0006 0.0006 0.018 Water 97.0 97.0 0.42 12 Example 2: Optimization of the drying time of the film The optimization of the drying time of the films is based on the determination of the optimal drying time beyond which the continuation of the drying proves useless and / or deleterious for the properties of the film. movie. Determination of the optimal drying time was carried out for type I and H films obtained with the film-forming composition of Example 1 and for drying under a suction hood.

Material and methods The drying of the films was followed for 10 hours under a hood. Measurements of water content were made in triplicate every 2 hours. Measurement of the water content of a sample is done by gravimetry and consists of weighing the sample and then drying it in an oven at 105 ° C for 24 hours before again weighing the sample. The difference in mass gives the water content of the sample. Results The results obtained are collated in FIG. 1. It appears that, starting at 6 hours, the water content of the film stabilizes around 13% w / w.

In addition, it has been demonstrated that after 6 hours of drying under an extractor hood, the films obtained are increasingly brittle and fragile. Therefore, for drying in a fume hood, a drying time of 6 hours was considered optimal for the films obtained from the film-forming compositions of Example 1.

Example 3: Measurement of the permeability of the films with water vapor. The permeability of the films with water vapor was evaluated for the heat-sealed type I and II films containing dehydrated soup obtained in Example 1. The measurement of permeability to water vapor is determined by the measurement of the evolution of the water content of the dehydrated soup contained in the heat-sealed film.

Material and methods The permeability measurement was performed over a period of 15 days with a measure of moisture content of the dehydrated soup every three days. Each measurement was done in triplicate. Each film containing dehydrated soup was placed in ambient air on an open petri dish.

The reference is dehydrated soup out of its original packaging, placed under the same conditions as the films. The water content measurements of the dehydrated soup contained in the films of the invention were carried out on approximately 1 g of Sartorius 5 MA35M infrared scale soup. Results The results of the permeability measurement are shown in FIG. 2. A statistical difference in water intake was found after 6 days between the dehydrated soup exposed to the open air and that contained in the films of the invention. . This difference persists for at least 13 days. The differences in water content are between 7 and 9%; the variations observed (0.5 to 1%) being moderate. Moreover, from 3 days, we find that the soup contained in the film takes less water than the soup not wrapped. After 6 days in the open air, a significant difference between the water content of the non-wrapped soup and the soup wrapped in the film is observed. It can therefore be concluded on a "barrier" effect of the sachet according to the invention with steam on the soup. EXAMPLE 4 Measurement of the Viscosity Brought by the Films Rheological Measurement Material and Methods The measurement of the viscosity was carried out in triplicate from the dissolution of a film I or II according to Example 1, in 10 cc of boiling water. The viscosity measurement is carried out using a Haake VT550 viscometer (mobile NV-DYN) at 30 ° C. The witness of this measurement is water.

The final viscosity is determined from a shear rate of 500 rpm. This speed corresponds to the stabilization of the rheological behavior of the solution comprising the film. Results The results of the rheological measurement are shown in FIG. 3. Statistically, there is no significant difference in viscosity between the water and the solution obtained by dissolving the film II of Example 1 in water. i.e., the film does not include a thickener. In contrast, film I significantly thickens the solution in which it is dissolved.

Sensory Evaluation Film I of Example 1 contains a thickener and was used to package dehydrated soup. The aim of the sensory evaluation is to know if a difference is perceived during the tasting between the dehydrated soup of the trade and the soup contained in the film, after their dissolution in water.

Material and method A sensory analysis was carried out in the form of a triangular test, involving: a soup obtained by dissolving in water a commercial dehydrated soup, hereinafter referred to as "commercial soup"; and a soup obtained by dissolution in water of the same commercial dehydrated soup but contained in a bag made of film I as described in Example 1, hereinafter referred to as "soup of the invention". 24 naive or insider judges participated in this analysis. It was chosen to use the following combinations: two samples of "commercial soup" and a sample of "soup of the invention"; or a sample of "commercial soup" and two samples of "soup of the invention".

The purpose of the experiment is to detect or not a difference between the two products, without inducing a bias in the evaluation. In addition, the combinations are randomized. All the judges conducted the analysis at the same time of the day. The soups were prepared 10 minutes before the tasting, then placed in thermos to preserve the heat of the product. Then the samples were presented in heat-resistant plastic glasses. The judges then conducted the analysis. All three samples were presented at the same time. Each sample included about 3 cL of soup. The entire sample was drunk by the judges in order of presentation (from left to right). The brightness of the room made it possible to see the colors of the samples, which were visually identical. The judges also had spoons, one for each sample. After the tasting, each judge identified the sample that looked different on the sheet presented to them. Results 23 out of 24 judges recognized the different sample among the 3 samples presented. The difference perceived by the judges between the "commercial soup" and the "soup of the invention" is therefore significant.

The test therefore indicates the existence of a difference perceived by the judges. Moreover, the comments suggest a more "velvety" and "pleasant" texture of the "soup of invention".

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Water-soluble film comprising at least one thickener, at least one plasticizer, at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer. 2. The film of claim 1 having a thickener concentration ranging from 40% to 60% w / w% based on the total film mass, said thickener being preferably guar. 3. The film of claim 1 or claim 2 having a plasticizer concentration ranging from 0.005% to 0.015% w / w, said plasticizer being preferably glycerol. 4. The film according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a gelling concentration ranging from 10% to 30% w / w, said gelling agent being preferably gelatin. The film of any one of claims 1 to 4, having a texturizer concentration of from 2% to 6% w / w, said texturizer being preferably Konjac. 6. The film according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one thickener is guar, at least one plasticizer is glycerol, at least one gelling agent is gelatin and at least one texturizer is konjac. A method of manufacturing the film according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising: mixing the components of the film to give a film-forming composition, comprising: dissolving at least one gelling agent in an aqueous solution Si at a temperature greater than 25 ° C; dissolving at least one texturizer in an aqueous solution S 2 at a temperature above room temperature; mixing the aqueous solutions Si and S 2 to give the solution S 3; o the addition of at least one plasticizer in the solution S3; adding at least one thickener to the preceding solution to give the film-forming composition; spreading the film-forming composition; drying the spread film-forming composition to give the film of any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. A film-forming composition comprising at least one thickener, at least one plasticizer, at least one gelling agent and at least one texturizer for the manufacture of the film according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 9. Package comprising the film according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 10. A package according to claim 9 comprising a solid composition, preferably a solid composition in the form of powder, granules, pellets, solid particles, aggregates, pieces or any other solid form. 11. Package according to claim 10, wherein the solid composition is a food product, such as for example salt, sugar, spices, condiments, seasonings, dehydrated sauce, dehydrated soup, juice of dehydrated fruit, milk powder, cocoa powder, tea powder, coffee powder, rice, pasta, pulses, flour, dehydrated food preparation or a mixture of these products a detergent ; an active ingredient, a pharmaceutical composition or a cosmetic composition or a mixture of these products. 12. A method of packaging solid compositions characterized in that one surrounds said solid film compositions according to any one of claims 1 to 6.