JP2019518673A - Use of a first film and a second film to improve the sealing strength of a water soluble unit dose article - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a first water-soluble film and a second water-soluble film for producing a unit dose article and to the use of the unit dose article.

Description

  The present invention relates to the use of a first water-soluble film and a second water-soluble film for producing a unit dose article and to the use of the unit dose article.

  Water-soluble detergent unit dose articles are preferred by consumers because they are convenient, efficient, and a clean method of administering the detergent during the washing process. This water soluble unit dosage form does not require consumers to meter their own dose, nor does it suffer from accidental spills of detergent that some consumers find cumbersome and inconvenient It means that.

  However, such water soluble unit dose articles may suffer premature rupture during storage, in particular, rupture due to a seal failure between the two films comprising the unit dose article. Often, such unit dose articles are stored in a flexible resealable bag or rigid, sealable tab-type container. In any case, early rupture of the water-soluble unit dose article can adversely affect the dosing experience as the contents inside the early ruptured unit dose article contaminate the other unruptured unit dose articles. . Thus, the consumer may find a "trouble" and inconvenient dosing experience.

  In addition, sealing defects may occur during the manufacturing process of the unit dose article. Such defects are a waste of resources and time since the ruptured pouch needs to be disposed of.

  Thus, there is a need in the art to improve the seal strength of the seal area of a water soluble unit dose article to reduce premature bursting of the unit dose article prior to use and during manufacture by the consumer. .

  There is also a need in the art to improve the detergent dosing experience of consumers.

  It has surprisingly been found that the use of a water-soluble unit dose article according to the invention has overcome these technical problems.

  A first aspect of the invention is the use of a first water soluble film and a second water soluble film in the manufacture of a water soluble unit dose article comprising the detergent composition, wherein the first water soluble film and the second water soluble film The films are sealed together along the sealing area in order to improve the sealing strength in the sealing area, and the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film are chemically different from each other. And the first water-soluble film has a first water volume, and the second water-soluble film has a second water volume, the first water volume being less than the second water volume, and the first water-soluble film The difference in water volume between the film and the second water-soluble film is 0.01% to 1%.

  A second use of the invention is the use of a unit dose article comprising at least a first water soluble film, a second water soluble film, and a detergent composition, said first water soluble film, a second water soluble film, and The detergents improve the consumer's detergent administration experience according to the invention.

The drawings herein are exemplary in nature and not intended to be limiting.
It is a schematic diagram of the basic composition of the strength test and seal failure test of a unit dose article. It is a sectional side view of a pouch. It is a multi-compartment pouch.

Use The present invention is directed to the use of a first water soluble film and a second water soluble film in the manufacture of a water soluble unit dose article comprising a detergent composition, wherein the first water soluble film and the second water soluble film are In order to improve the sealing strength in the sealing area, they are sealed together along the sealing area. The unit dose article, the first water soluble film, the second water soluble film and the detergent are described in more detail below.

  Use is preferred to improve the sealing strength in the sealing area and to reduce the amount of waste material during the production of water soluble unit dose articles.

  A further aspect of the present invention is the use of a unit dose article comprising at least a first water soluble film, a second water soluble film, and a detergent composition, said first water soluble film, a second water soluble film, and a detergent The present invention improves the detergent administration experience of the consumer.

  Preferably, the consumer's detergent dosing experience comprises the consumer moving at least one water soluble unit dose article from the storage container to the automatic washing machine, preferably to the drum of the automatic washing machine. Alternatively, water soluble unit dose articles may be added to the drawer of the automatic washing machine.

  Water soluble unit dose articles may be added to the washing machine by hand. Water soluble unit dose articles may be added to the drum by hand. Alternatively, the water soluble unit dose articles may be dispensed from the storage container into the washing machine, preferably into the drum. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize a suitable storage container.

  One skilled in the art will recognize a suitable automatic washing machine. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the automatic washing machine comprises a drum and a drawer, and places the drum or drawer, and that both fabric and water-soluble unit dose articles can be added thereto accordingly. , Will recognize.

  One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize a suitable storage container. Preferably, the storage container is flexible, preferably resealable, is a bag, is rigid, preferably resealable, is a tab-type container or a mixture thereof, preferably the storage The container is equipped with a pediatric safety lid. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize a suitable pediatric safety lid.

  Preferably, the improved consumer dosing experience includes less hassle for the consumer during the dosing operation, and increased convenience.

  Without being bound by theory, it is surprisingly found that the use of two films has the properties of the present invention to improve the sealing strength of water-soluble unit dose articles produced from the films. It was issued. By improving the seal strength, all instances of premature rupture, both during manufacture, storage and administration by the consumer, were all reduced.

Water soluble unit dose article The present invention is directed to the use of a first water soluble film and a second water soluble film in the manufacture of a water soluble unit dose article comprising a detergent composition, said first water soluble film and said second water soluble film The sealing film is sealed together along the sealing area to improve the sealing strength in the sealing area.

  The water soluble unit dose article comprises a first water soluble film and a second water soluble film shaped such that the unit dose article comprises at least one internal compartment surrounded by a water soluble film. The water soluble films are sealed to one another to define an internal compartment, which also prevents the detergent composition from leaking out of the compartment during storage. However, when water soluble unit dose articles are added to water, the water soluble film dissolves and the contents of the inner compartment are released into the wash liquor.

  The area where the two films touch and seal together is called the sealing area. The sealing area often includes the area of the first water-soluble film sealed to the area of the second water-soluble film and is usually raised from the body of the unit dose article, a "hem" or "flange" including. Preferred methods of making unit dose articles are described in more detail below.

  Compartment is to be understood as meaning a sealed interior space within the unit dose article which holds the detergent composition. During manufacture, the first water-soluble film according to the invention may be formed to include an open compartment to which the detergent composition is added. The second water-soluble film according to the invention is then laid over the first film in an orientation such that the opening of the compartment is sealed. The first and second films are then sealed together along the sealing area.

  The unit dose article may comprise two or more compartments, or even at least two compartments, or even at least three compartments. The compartments may be arranged in an overlapping orientation, ie one located above the other. In such an orientation, the unit dose article comprises three films, top, middle and bottom. Preferably, the central film corresponds to the second water-soluble film according to the invention and the upper and lower films correspond to the first water-soluble film according to the invention. Alternatively, the compartments may be located in a parallel orientation, ie, one adjacent to the other. The compartments may also be oriented in a "tire and rim" arrangement, ie the first compartment is located adjacent to the second compartment, but the first compartment at least partially surrounds the second compartment, but , Does not completely enclose the second section. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment. In such multi-compartment orientation, the first water-soluble film according to the present invention may be formed to include an open compartment into which the detergent composition is added. The second water-soluble film according to the invention is then laid over the first film in an orientation such that the opening of the compartment is sealed.

  If the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the compartments may be smaller than the other compartments. If the unit dose article comprises at least three compartments, two of the compartments may be smaller than the third compartment, and preferably the smaller compartment may be superimposed on the larger compartment. The superimposed sections are preferably oriented in parallel.

  In a multi-compartment orientation, the detergent composition according to the invention may be contained within at least one of the compartments. For example, the detergent composition may be contained in only one compartment, or may be contained in two compartments, or three compartments.

  Each compartment may contain the same composition or a different composition. The different compositions may all be in the same form or in different forms.

  The water soluble unit dose article may comprise at least two internal compartments, the liquid laundry detergent composition is contained within at least one of the compartments, preferably the unit dosage article comprises at least three compartments, and the detergent composition An object is contained within at least one of the compartments.

First and Second Water Soluble Films The water soluble unit dose article comprises a first water soluble film and a second water soluble film, and the first water soluble film and the second water soluble film are chemically different from one another.

  For the avoidance of doubt, in the context of the present invention, the term "chemically different" is used herein to mean "virgin film", ie received from the supplier / manufacturer and the production of unit dose articles. At least one substance present in at least one of the film compositions that distinguishes the first film from the second film, in each of the test methods described herein, the film prior to unwinding in units And affecting at least the water volume, reproducing it in at least one physical film property which is different between the first film and the second film. Within the scope of the present invention, the variation of the film's chemical composition due to the natural manufacturing process, ie the batch-to-batch variation, is not itself considered to be a chemically different film.

  Nonlimiting examples of chemically distinct materials include the use of different polymers of the target resin and / or contents, different plasticizer compositions and / or contents, or different surfactants and / or contents. Water soluble unit dose articles having contents of the same material, such as films comprising films having different physical properties but having different film thicknesses are considered to be outside the scope of the present invention. Film unit dose articles that are independently distinguished through the presence versus absence of a coating layer are also considered outside the scope of the present invention.

  The first water soluble film has a first water volume, and the second water soluble film has a second water volume, the first water volume being less than the second water volume.

  The difference in water volume between the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film is 0.01% to 1%, preferably 0.03% to 0.5%, and most preferably 0.05% to 0.3%. %. The first water soluble film and the second water soluble film are described in more detail below. As used herein, "difference" means the difference in the value of the first water volume and the value of the second water volume. As used herein, "water volume" means the capacity of a film to absorb water over a period of time at a specific relative humidity and temperature, measured as the mass gain of the film being tested. . The method of measuring water volume is described in more detail below.

  Preferably, the first water-soluble film has a water volume of 1% to 10%, more preferably 2% to 8%, most preferably 3% to 6%.

  Preferably, the second water soluble film has a water volume of 1.5% to 12%, more preferably 2.5% to 10%, most preferably 3.5% to 8%.

  Preferably, the first water soluble film is thermoformed during manufacture of the unit dose article. As used herein, “thermoforming” means heating the film prior to deformation, ie by passing the film under an infrared lamp, preferably by laying a water-soluble film across the cavity to By applying a vacuum or under pressure in the cavity of, the deformation process is made possible. The second water soluble film may be thermoformed during manufacture of the unit dose article. Alternatively, the second water soluble film may not be thermoformed during manufacture of the unit dose article. Preferably, the first water soluble film is thermoformed during manufacture of the unit dose article and the second water soluble film is not thermoformed during manufacture of the unit dose article.

  The first water-soluble film, the second water-soluble film, or a mixture thereof may be 40 micrometers to 100 micrometers, preferably 60 micrometers to 90 micrometers, more preferably 70, before being incorporated into a unit dose article. It may have a thickness of micrometers to 80 micrometers independently.

  Preferably, the difference between the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film in thickness prior to incorporation into the unit dose article is less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, more preferably less than 20%. , And even more preferably less than 10%, or equal thickness.

  The first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film according to the present invention are preferably single-layer films, and more preferably produced via solution casting.

  The first water soluble film may have a first tensile strain at break of 300% to 1600%, preferably 400% to 1200%, more preferably 700% to 1200%. The method of measuring the tensile strain at break is described in more detail below.

  The second water-soluble film may have a second tensile strain of 300% to 1200%, preferably 500% to 1000%, at break. As used herein, tensile strain at break means that in a unit dose article comprising the film and the detergent composition, it is pre-equilibrated with the detergent composition in contact with the film and stretched prior to the break when stress is applied. Means the performance of the film. The method of measuring the tensile strain at break is described in more detail below.

  The difference between the first tensile strain at break and the second tensile strain at break may be 10% to 1000%, preferably 100% to 750%, more preferably 200% to 500%. As used herein, "a difference in tensile strain at break" means a difference in values of a first tensile strain at break and a second tensile strain at break.

  Preferably, the first water-soluble film has a first tensile modulus, the second water-soluble film has a second tensile modulus, and the first tensile modulus is higher than the second tensile modulus, and The difference between the 1 tensile modulus and the second tensile modulus is 0.5 MPa to 10 MPa, preferably 1 MPa to 8 MPa, more preferably 2 MPa to 7 MPa.

  As used herein, "difference" means the difference between the value of the first tensile modulus and the value of the second tensile modulus. As used herein, "tensile modulus" means the ability of a film to stretch when stressed. The method of measuring tensile modulus is described in more detail below.

  Preferably, the first tensile modulus is 1 MPa to 20 MPa, more preferably 3 MPa to 20 MPa.

  Preferably, the second tensile modulus is 1 MPa to 15 MPa, more preferably 3 MPa to 15 MPa.

  Preferably, the first water soluble film comprises a first water soluble resin and the second water soluble film comprises a second water soluble resin. Preferably, the first water-soluble resin comprises at least one polyvinyl alcohol or at least one polyvinyl alcohol copolymer or blends thereof, and the second water-soluble resin comprises at least one polyvinyl alcohol or at least one polyvinyl alcohol. Polyvinyl alcohol copolymers or blends thereof.

  The first water soluble resin may comprise a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising anionic monomer units, preferably 0% by weight of the blend, based on the total weight of the first water soluble resin % To 70% by weight of the first water-soluble resin of polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing anionic monomer units, and 30% to about 100% by weight of the first water-soluble resin of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, more preferably The blend is a polyvinyl alcohol comprising 10% to 70%, still more preferably 15% to less than 65%, even more preferably 20% to 50%, most preferably 30% to 40% of anionic monomer units. Copolymer, and 30% to 90%, or more than 35% to 85%, or 50% to 80%, or 60 Amount% to 70 wt%, comprising a first water-soluble resin polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. The polyvinyl alcohol copolymer can be present at concentrations that add up to 100% with the concentration of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer.

  By polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer is meant polyvinyl alcohol comprising polyvinyl alcohol units and optionally but preferably polyvinyl acetate units. The polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol units, optionally but preferably polyvinyl acetate units, and anionically modified polyvinyl alcohol units.

  The second water soluble resin may comprise a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising anionic monomer units, preferably based on the total weight of the second water soluble resin in the film, the blend is preferably More preferably, based on the total weight of the second water soluble resin in the film, comprising 0% to 70% of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising anionic monomer units, and 30% to 100% of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, The blend is a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising 10% to 70%, even more preferably 15% to 65%, still more preferably 20% to 50%, most preferably 30% to 40% of anionic monomer units. And 30% to 90%, or 35% to 85%, or 50% to 80%, or 60 weight Including percent to 70 weight percent, the second water-soluble resin polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. The polyvinyl alcohol copolymer can be present at concentrations that add up to 100% with the concentration of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer.

The anionic monomer unit present in the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer of the first resin, the anionic monomer unit present in the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer of the second resin, or a mixture thereof is selected from vinyl acetate, alkyl acrylate, maleic acid and maleic acid mono Alkyl, dialkyl maleate, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, monoalkyl fumarate, dialkyl fumarate, monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, fumaric anhydride, itaconic acid, monomethyl itaconate, itaconic acid Acid dimethylate, itaconic anhydride, citraconic acid, monoalkyl citraconate, dialkyl citraconate, citraconic anhydride, mesaconic acid, monoalkyl mesaconate, dialkyl mesaconate, mesaconic anhydride, glutaconone Glutaconic acid monoalkyl, glutaconic acid dialkyl, glutaconic anhydride, vinylsulfonic acid, alkylsulfonic acid, ethylenesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-1-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid It may be independently selected from the group consisting of anionic monomers derived from methylacrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, 2-sulfoethyl acrylate, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof,
Preferably, the anionic monomer unit is a group consisting of anionic monomers derived from maleic acid, monoalkyl maleate, dialkyl maleate, maleic anhydride, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof. Is selected from
More preferably, the anionic monomer unit is a group consisting of anionic monomers derived from maleic acid, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof. It is selected from

  Preferably, the first and second polyvinyl alcohol copolymers are independently 1 mole% to 8 mole%, more preferably 2 mole% to 5 mole%, most preferably 3 mole% with respect to the total polyvinyl alcohol copolymer present It contains ̃4 mol% of anionic monomer units.

  Preferably, the first polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and the second polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and the first polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and the second polyvinyl alcohol copolymer are independently 80% to 99%, preferably 85% to 95%, more preferably Have a degree of hydrolysis of 86% to 93%.

  Preferably, the first polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and the second polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and the first polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and the second polyvinyl alcohol copolymer are independently 4 cP to 40 cP, preferably 10 cP, in demineralized water at 25 ° C. It has a solution viscosity of 4% in the range of -30 cP, more preferably 12 cP to 25 cP.

  Preferably, the first water soluble film and the second water soluble film are independently 30% to 90%, more preferably 40% to 80%, still more preferably 50% to 75%, most preferably 60% It has a water-soluble resin content of 70% of the film.

  Preferably, the water soluble unit dose article exhibits a dissolution profile of less than 6.2, preferably less than 6, more preferably less than 5.8, according to the article dispenser machine wash dissolution test method for unit dose articles described below.

  The first and / or second films may be independently opaque, translucent or transparent. The first and / or second films may independently include a printing area. The printed area may range from 10-80% of the film surface, or 10-80% of the film surface in contact with the interior space of the compartment, or 10-80% of the film surface and 10-80% of the compartment surface. Good.

  The printing area may extend to a continuous part of the film, or it may extend to a part of the continuous part, i.e. the narrow area of the print, the sum of which is with the internal space of the film surface or compartments. This corresponds to 10 to 80% of the contacting film surface or both.

  The print area may comprise an ink, a pigment, a dye, a bluing agent, or a mixture thereof. The print area may be opaque, translucent or transparent.

  The print area may include a single color, or may include multiple colors, or even three colors. The printing area may include white, black, blue, red or a mixture of these. The printing may be present as a layer on the film surface or may be at least partially penetrated into the film. The film comprises a first side and a second side. The print area may be present on any one side of the film, or may be present on both sides of the film. Alternatively, the print area may be at least partially contained within the film body.

  The print area can be obtained using standard techniques such as flexographic printing or ink jet printing. Preferably, the printing area is obtained via flexographic printing, in which case after the film has been printed it is shaped in the form of an open area. The compartment is then filled with the detergent composition, and a second film is placed above the compartment and sealed to the first film. The print area may be on one side or both sides of the film.

  Alternatively, inks or pigments may be added during the production of the film such that all or at least a part of the film is colored.

  The first and second films may independently comprise an aversive agent, such as a bitter taste agent. Suitable bittering agents include, but are not limited to, naringin, sucrose octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, denatonium benzoate, or mixtures thereof. Any suitable concentration of aversive agents may be used in the film. Suitable concentrations include, but are not limited to, 1 to 5000 ppm, alternatively 100 to 2500 ppm, alternatively 250 to 2000 ppm.

  The first and / or second film may further comprise other active substances typically known to those skilled in the art, including water, plasticizers and surfactants.

Detergent Composition The detergent composition may be in the form of a free-flowing powder, a liquid, a compressed solid, a gel or a mixture thereof.

  The detergent composition may be in the form of a free flowing powder. Such free flowing powders may have an average particle size of 100 micrometers to 1500 micrometers, preferably 100 micrometers to 1000 micrometers, more preferably 100 micrometers to 750 micrometers. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize standard techniques for measuring particle size. The detergent composition may be a free flowing laundry detergent composition.

  The detergent composition may be liquid. In the context of the liquid detergent composition of the present invention, the term "liquid" includes forms such as dispersions, gels, pastes and the like. The liquid composition may comprise the gas in a suitably subdivided form. However, liquid compositions exclude all non-liquid forms such as tablets or granules.

  The detergent composition may be a liquid laundry detergent composition. The term "liquid laundry detergent composition" means any laundry detergent composition comprising a liquid that can wet and treat fabrics, such as, for example, washing clothes in a home laundry machine.

  Laundry detergent compositions are used during the main cleaning process, but can also be used as pre-treatment compositions or dip compositions.

  Laundry detergent compositions include fabric detergents, fabric softeners, two-in-one detergents and softeners, pretreatment compositions, and the like.

  Laundry detergent compositions include bleaches, bleach catalysts, dyes, color dyes, brighteners, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and polyethyleneimines, soil release polymers, surfactants, solvents, dye transfer inhibitors, chelates Agents, builders, enzymes, perfumes, capsule perfumes, polycarboxylates, rheology modifiers, structurants, hydrotropes, pigments and dyes, opacifiers, preservatives, antioxidants, processing aids, cationic polymers The components may be selected from including conditioning polymers, antimicrobial agents, pH trimming agents such as hydroxides and alkanolamines, suds suppressors, and mixtures thereof.

  The surfactant can be selected from anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, nonionic, amphoteric or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fabric care composition comprises anionic, nonionic or mixtures thereof.

  The anionic surfactant may be selected from linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, and combinations thereof.

  Suitable anionic surfactants useful herein can include any of the conventional anionic surfactants typically used in liquid detergent products. These include alkyl benzene sulfonic acids and their salts, as well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate materials.

The non-ionic surfactant may be selected from aliphatic alcohol alkoxylates, oxo synthetic aliphatic alcohol alkoxylates, Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, alkylphenol alcohol alkoxylates, or mixtures thereof. Nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein include alcohol alkoxylate nonionic surfactants. The alcohol alkoxylates have the general formula R ¹ (C _m H _{2 m} O) _n OH, where R ¹ is a C ₈ -C ₁₆ alkyl group, m is 2 to 4 and n is about 2 to 2 12). In one aspect, R ¹ is an alkyl group which may be primary or secondary and which comprises about 9 to 15 carbon atoms, or about 10 to 14 carbon atoms. In one aspect, the alkoxylated fatty alcohol is an ethoxylated material containing an average of about 2 to 12 ethylene oxide moieties per molecule, or an average of about 3 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties per molecule.

  The shading dyes used in the laundry detergent composition of the present invention may comprise polymeric or non-polymeric dyes, pigments or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the shading dye comprises a polymeric dye, which comprises a chromophore component and a polymeric component. The chromophore component is characterized in that it absorbs light in the wavelength range of blue, red, violet, purple or combinations thereof when exposed to light. In one aspect, the chromophore component exhibits an absorption spectrum of up to about 520 nanometers to about 640 nanometers in water and / or methanol, and in another aspect about 560 nanometers to about in water and / or methanol. 8 shows an absorption spectrum of 610 nm.

  Although any suitable chromophore can be used, the dye chromophore is preferably benzodifuran, methine, triphenylmethane, naphthalimide, pyrazole, naphthoquinone, anthraquinone, azo, oxazine, azine, xanthene, triphenodioxazine And phthalocyanine dye chromophores. Mono and diazo dye chromophores are preferred.

  The dyes may be incorporated into the detergent composition in the form of a crude mixture which is a direct product of the organic synthesis route. Thus, in addition to the dye polymer, there may also be mixtures of dye polymers containing small amounts of unreacted starting material, side reaction products and repeating units of different chain lengths, which are expected to result from any polymerization step.

  The laundry detergent composition may comprise one or more detersive enzymes that provide detergency and / or fabric care benefits. Examples of suitable enzymes include hemicellulase, peroxidase, protease, cellulase, xylanase, lipase, phospholipase, esterase, cutinase, pectinase, keratanase, reductase, oxidase, phenol oxidase, lipoxygenase, ligninase, pullulanase, tannase, penonase, malanase, Examples include, but are not limited to, β-glucanase, arabinosidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and amylase, or mixtures thereof. A typical combination is a mixture of conventionally applicable enzymes such as protease, lipase, cutinase and / or cellulase in combination with amylase.

  The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may comprise one or more bleaching agents. Suitable bleaching agents other than bleach catalysts include photobleaching agents, bleach activators, hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide sources, preformed peracids, and mixtures thereof.

  The composition may comprise a brightener. Preferred brighteners are stilbenes such as brightener 15. Other suitable brighteners are hydrophobic brighteners and brighteners 49. The brightener may be in finely divided particulate form, having a weight average particle size in the range of 3 to 30 micrometers, or 3 to 20 micrometers, or 3 to 10 micrometers. The brightener may be in alpha or beta crystalline form.

  The compositions herein may also optionally contain one or more copper, iron and / or manganese chelating agents. The chelating agent is 1-hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid (HEDP) and its salt, N, N-dicarboxymethyl-2-aminopentane-1,5-diacid and its salt, 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4. -Tricarboxylic acid and its salts, and any combination thereof may be included.

  The compositions of the present invention may also include one or more dye transfer inhibitors. Suitable polymeric dye transfer inhibitors include polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidone, and polyvinylimidazole, or mixtures thereof. It is not limited.

  The laundry detergent composition may comprise one or more polymers. Suitable polymers include: carboxylate polymers, polyester glycol polymers, polyester soil release polymers such as terephthalate polymers, amine polymers, cellulosic polymers, migration preventing polymers, condensation oligomers formed by condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin And dye-fixing polymers, hexamethylenediamine derivative polymers optionally in a ratio of 1-4-1, and any combination thereof.

Other suitable cellulosic polymers have a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.01 to 0.99, and either a DS + DB of at least 1.00 or a DB + 2 DS-DS ² of at least 1.20. It may have a block distortion degree (DB) such that The substituted cellulosic polymers can have a degree of substitution (DS) of at least 0.55. The substituted cellulosic polymer can have a degree of block (DB) of at least 0.35. The substituted cellulosic polymer can have a DS + DB of 1.05 to 2.00. The preferred substituted cellulosic polymer is carboxymethylcellulose.

  Another suitable substituted cellulosic polymer is cation modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

  Suitable perfumes include perfume microcapsules, polymer-assisted perfume delivery system starch encapsulated perfume accords comprising a Schiff base perfume / polymer complex, perfume-loaded zeolite, blooming perfume accords, and any combination thereof. Suitable perfume microcapsules are melamine formaldehyde based and typically comprise perfume encapsulated by a shell comprising melamine formaldehyde. Such perfume microcapsules may be very suitable to include in the shell a cationic material and / or a cationic precursor material such as polyvinyl formamide (PVF) and / or cation modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (catHEC).

  Suitable suds suppressors include silicon and / or fatty acids such as stearic acid.

  The laundry detergent composition may be colored. The color of the liquid laundry detergent composition may be the same as or different from any printed area on the film of the article. Each compartment of the unit dose article may have a different color. Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises an indirect dye having an average degree of alkoxylation of at least 16.

  At least one compartment of the unit dose article may comprise a solid. If present, solids may be present at a concentration of at least 5% by weight of the unit dose article.

Methods of Making Unit Dose Articles One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize a process for making the detergent compositions of the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize standard processes and equipment for producing the present detergent compositions.

  One skilled in the art will recognize standard techniques for manufacturing unit dose articles according to any aspect of the present invention. Standard forming processes may be used, including but not limited to thermoforming and vacuum forming techniques.

  A preferred method of manufacturing a water soluble unit dose article according to the invention comprises molding a first water soluble film in a mold to form an open cavity, filling the cavity with a detergent composition and laying a second film over the first film Closing the cavity and sealing the first and second films together preferably through a solvent seal, preferably the solvent comprises water, including the step of producing a water soluble unit dose article.

  The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the precise numerical values set forth. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, the dimensions disclosed as "40 mm" are intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Test protocol 1. Sealing Failure Test Method for Unit Dose Articles Instron Universal Material Testing Machine with Load Cell up to 100 kN (Kilonewton) (Instron Industrial Products, Mass., 0202-2643, Norwood, University Avenue 825) The following is a description of the implementation of a seal failure measurement of a unit dose article using The method measures seal failure of the unit dose article by applying pressure to the film and the seal area via compression of the unit dose article. Unit dose articles that open at a pressure of less than 250 N at the seal area are reported as a seal failure.

  Sealing failure of the unit dose article was measured immediately one hour after production of the unit dose article so that the film / unit dose article had a set time after processing. The method was carried out in a room environment at 30% to 40% relative humidity (RH) and 20% to 23 ° C. Stored unit dose articles were allowed to re-equilibrate to the laboratory environment for 1 hour prior to testing.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic of the basic structure of a seal failure test of a unit dose article. The unit dose article 510 is enclosed in a plastic degassing bag 500 (150 mm x 124 mm with a seal, 60 microns thick-eg Raja grip RGP 6B) to measure sealing failure of the unit dose article, and the unit dose article It prevented contamination of the working environment at the time of the burst. After being enclosed in the pouch, the unit dose article 510 was centered between the two compression plates 520, 530 of the tester. A seal width dimension 540 (eg, the smallest dimension in a defined rectangular plane just including the seal area, 41 mm in the actual unit dose article tested) is between the compression plates (x direction), this The unit dose article 510 was placed in the upright position so that stress exerted on the seal width. For compression, the speed to reduce the distance between the plates 520 and 530 is set to 60 mm / min. Ten iterations are performed per test step to report the number of unit dose articles that failed seal, i.e., the opening in the seal area at a pressure less than 250N.

2. Method of measuring water volume The water volume was measured using a DVS (dynamic water vapor adsorption) device. The device used was SPS-DVS (SPS x-1 μ-high load model with permeability kit) from ProUmid. The DVS uses gravimetry for the measurement of moisture adsorption / desorption and is fully automated.

  The accuracy of the system is ± 0.6% with respect to RH (relative humidity) over a range of 0-98% and ± 0.3 ° C at a temperature of 25 ° C. The temperature may range from +5 to + 60 ° C. The microbalance in the device can resolve mass changes of 0.1 μg. Two repetitions of each film are measured and an average water volume value is reported.

  For the specific conditions of the test, it is possible to test 5 films simultaneously, 6 trays of circular conveyors (must be empty since 1 plate is used as a reference for the microbalance) Was used.

  Each dish has an aluminum ring with a screw and is designed to fix the film. A piece of film is placed on a pan and gently stretched, then a ring is placed on top to secure the film tightly with screws and to remove excess film. The film covering the surface of the dish had a diameter of 80 mm.

  The temperature was fixed at 20 ° C. The relative humidity (RH) was set to 35% for 6 hours and then gradually raised to 50% in 5 minutes. The RH was maintained at 50% for 12 hours. The total duration of the measurement was 18 hours.

  The cycle time (= time between measurements of each dish) is set to 10 minutes, and DVS records each weight result against time and% Dm (relative mass variation relative to the starting weight of the film, ie 10% is Calculate the 10% film weight increase relative to the starting film weight automatically.

  Water volume (or 20 ° C.) by subtracting the% Dm value at 50% RH (final value measured at 50% RH) from the% Dm at 35 RH (final value before reaching 50% RH) Calculated the% Dm) obtained over a 50% RH cycle, during a fixed time of 12 h at.

3. Tensile Strain Test and Modulus Test A water soluble film characterized or tested by tensile strain by tensile strain (TS) test and modulus by tensile modulus (MOD) test (tensile modulus or tensile stress) is It analyzed as follows. This procedure involves measurement of tensile strain and measurement of modulus by ASTM D 882 ("Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting"). An Instron tensile tester (tensile tester 5544 model or equivalent-Instron Industrial Product, 02062-2643, Norwood, University Ave 825, Mass.) Was used for film data collection. Cutting with a reliable cutting tool (e.g., Thwing Albert Instrument Company, JDC precision sample cutter from Philadelphia, PA, USA, models 1-10), respectively, to ensure dimensional stability and reproducibility A minimum of three test specimens were tested in the machine direction (MD) (if applicable), ie in the direction of roll winding / unrolling of the water-soluble film for each measurement. The water soluble film was pretreated to the test environment conditions for a minimum of 48 hours. The test was performed in a standard laboratory atmosphere at 23 ± 2.0 ° C. and 35 ± 5% relative humidity. A 2.54 cm (1 '') wide single film sheet sample with a thickness of 76.2 ± 3.8 μm (or 3.0 ± 0.15 mils) to make tensile strain and elastic modulus measurements Virgin films were tested for modulus testing.For tensile strain testing, the test film was first pre-soaked in the test detergent according to the protocol described below. The test was carried out by moving to a Ron tensile tester, prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions, equipped with a 500 N load cell and calibrated, with appropriate grips and faces (rubber coated and width Instron grips with a face of model no. 2702-032, or equivalent, which is 25 mm.) Mount the sample on a tensile tester, 1N / Stretched at a speed of in, the modulus (ie the slope of the stress-strain curve in the elastic deformation region) and the tensile strain at break (ie the percent elongation obtained at film break, ie 100% the starting length Reflected and analyzed to measure 200% reflects the film stretched doubled at break) A minimum of three test averages was calculated and reported.

Film Pre-Soaking Protocol Film samples measured at 11 cm x 12 cm were made for both films intended to be used to form a sealed compartment encapsulating a liquid household detergent composition. A total of 750 mL of household liquid detergent composition intended to be enclosed in the sealed compartment containing the test film was required for each test film. The bottom of the clear inert glass receiver was covered with a thin layer of liquid, and the film to be tested was placed on the liquid and the bubbles trapped under the film were gently pushed towards the side. The residual liquid is then gently poured on top of the film in such a way that the film is completely immersed in the liquid. There should be no creases in the film and no bubbles should be in contact with the film. The film remained in contact with the liquid and was stored for 6 days at 35 ° C. and overnight at 21 ° C. under closed container conditions. A separate glass receiver was used for each test film. The film was then removed from the storage container and excess liquid removed from the film. A piece of paper was placed on the film laid on top of the paper and then the film was blotted dry with dry paper. The films were finally pretreated to tensile strain environmental test conditions as described above. When intended for encapsulation of solid household detergent compositions, virgin films were used for tensile strain testing.

  The following unit dose articles were prepared and tested with respect to the seal strength of the unit dose article per protocol described herein. While the unit dose articles of the examples according to the invention are made from other than two different films and differ in the water volume value according to the invention, the comparative unit dose articles outside the scope of the invention are single film type It is manufactured from other than.

  A multi-zone water-soluble unit dose article with a 41 mm × 43 mm footprint, a 20.1 mm cavity depth, and a 25 mL cavity volume was prepared via thermoforming / vacuum forming. For the dual film example, films A and C of the unit dose article were deformed under reduced pressure while films B and D were used respectively as the sealing film. Standard detergent compositions marketed in the United Kingdom in January 2016 were encapsulated in these unit dose articles in the bottom section of the graceful non-living three-in-one water soluble unit dose article product.

  Table 1 below details the film compositions used to make comparative unit dose articles and unit dose articles of the Examples.

  Table 2 below details the important physical properties of each film used in the examples.

  From Table 3 below, according to the scope of the invention, two film unit dose articles 1 and 2 which differ in water volume are both compared to the corresponding comparative examples 1 and 2 which are not made of a single-type film It is clear that both provide good seal strength.

  The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values set forth. Rather, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, the dimensions disclosed as "40 mm" shall mean "about 40 mm".

  All documents cited herein, including both cross-referenced or related patents or applications, are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. Be incorporated. The citation of any document is not considered prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or is independently or in combination with any other reference (s) It is not considered to teach, suggest, or disclose all such inventions. Furthermore, if any meaning or definition of a term in this document contradicts the meaning or definition of the same term in the document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document applies I assume.

  While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications that are included within the scope of the present invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

Use of a first water soluble film and a second water soluble film in the manufacture of a water soluble unit dose article comprising a detergent composition, wherein the first water soluble film and the second water soluble film are in the sealing area. Sealed together along the sealing area to improve sealing strength,
The first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film are chemically different from each other, and the first water-soluble film has a first water volume, and the second water-soluble film is a second water-soluble film. It has a water volume, the first water volume is less than the second water volume, and the difference in water volume between the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film is 0.01% to 1%. There is a use.   The use according to claim 1, wherein the sealing strength in the sealing area is improved to reduce the amount of waste material during manufacture of a water soluble unit dose article.   Use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first water-soluble film has a water volume of 1% to 10%, preferably 2% to 8%, more preferably 3% to 6%.   4. A water-soluble film according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second water-soluble film has a water content of 1.5% to 12%, preferably 2.5% to 10%, more preferably 3.5% to 8%. Use described in.   5. The use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said difference in water volume is 0.03% to 0.5%, most preferably 0.05% to 0.3%.   The first water-soluble film contains a first water-soluble resin, and the second water-soluble film contains a second water-soluble resin. Preferably, the first water-soluble resin is at least one polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. Or at least one polyvinyl alcohol copolymer or blends thereof, and the second water-soluble resin comprises at least one polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer or at least one polyvinyl alcohol copolymer or blends thereof. The use as described in any of -5.   Preferably, said first water soluble resin comprises a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising anionic monomer units, based on the total weight of said first water soluble resin in said first film, The blend comprises from 0% to 70% of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising anionic monomer units, and from 30% to about 100% of the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, the total of the first water soluble resin in the first film. More preferably, on a weight basis, said blend is 10% to 70%, even more preferably 15% to less than 65%, even more preferably 20% to 50%, most preferably 30% to 40% Said polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising anionic monomer units, and 30% to 90%, or 35% 85%, or 50% to 80%, or 60 wt% to 70 wt%, including the first water-soluble resin of the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, use of claim 6.   Preferably, said second water soluble resin comprises a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising anionic monomer units, based on the total weight of said second water soluble resin in said second film, The blend comprises 0% to 70% of the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing anionic monomer units, and 30% to 100% of the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, and the total of the second water soluble resin in the second film More preferably, the said blend comprises 10% to 70%, even more preferably 15% to 65%, still more preferably 20% to 50%, most preferably 30% to 40% by weight, based on weight. Said polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising monomeric monomer units, and about 30% to about 90%, or about 3 8. A composition according to claim 6 or 7, comprising from about 2 to about 85% by weight, or from about 50 to about 80%, or from about 60 to about 70% by weight of said second water soluble resin of said polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. Use described. The said anionic monomer unit is vinyl acetate, alkyl acrylate, maleic acid, monoalkyl maleate, dialkyl maleate, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, monoalkyl fumarate, dialkyl fumarate, fumaric acid Acid monomethyl acid, dimethyl fumarate acid, fumaric acid anhydride, itaconic acid, monomethyl itaconic acid, dimethyl itaconic acid, itaconic acid acid anhydride, citraconic acid, monoalkyl citraconic acid, dialkyl citraconic acid, citraconic acid anhydride, mesaconic acid monoalkyl , Mesaconic acid dialkyl, mesaconic anhydride, glutaconic acid, monoalkyl glutaconic acid, dialkyl glutaconic acid, glutaconic anhydride, vinyl sulfonic acid, alkyl sulfonic acid, ethylene sulfonic acid, 2-acrylaic acid D-1-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-methylacrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-sulfoethyl acrylate, alkali metal salts of these, esters of these, and these Selected from the group consisting of anionic monomers derived from a combination of, preferably, said anionic monomer units are maleic acid, monoalkyl maleate, dialkyl maleate, maleic anhydride, alkali metal salts thereof, alkali metal salts thereof, Selected from the group consisting of anionic monomers derived from esters of
More preferably, the anionic monomer unit comprises an anionic monomer derived from maleic acid, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof. The use according to claims 6-8, selected from the group. 40 micrometers to 100 micrometers, preferably 60 micrometers to 90 micrometers, more preferably 70 micrometers before the first water soluble film and the second water soluble film are incorporated into the unit dose article Independently having a thickness of 80 to 80 micrometers
Preferably, the difference between the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film in thickness before being incorporated into the unit dose article is less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, more preferably 10. Process according to any of the preceding claims, which is less than 20%, even more preferably less than 10% or 0%.   The first water-soluble film has a first tensile strain of 300% to 1600%, preferably 400% to 1200%, more preferably 700% to 1200% at break, and the second water-soluble film is The use according to any of the preceding claims, having a second tensile strain of 300% to 1200%, preferably 500% to 1000%, at break.   The difference between the first tensile strain at break and the second tensile strain at break is 10% to 1000%, preferably 100% to 750%, more preferably 200% to 500%. Use described in.   At least a first water soluble film, a second water soluble film, and a detergent according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first water soluble film and the second water soluble film enhance the detergent administration experience of the consumer. Use of a unit dose article comprising the composition.   The consumer's detergent dosing experience comprises the consumer manually moving at least one water soluble unit dose article from the storage container to the automatic washing machine, preferably to the drum of the automatic washing machine. Use according to 13.   The storage container is flexible, preferably resealable, bag-like, rigid, preferably resealable, a tab-type container or a mixture thereof, preferably the storage container is 15. The use according to claim 14, comprising a pediatric safety lid.   16. The use according to claims 14-15, wherein the improved consumer dosing experience comprises reducing the hassle and increasing the convenience for the consumer during the dosing operation.

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