JP6790127B2 - Use of 1st and 2nd films to improve sealing strength of water-soluble unit dose articles - Google Patents

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.

Unit-dose articles of water-soluble detergents are preferred by consumers because they are convenient, efficient, and a clean way to administer the detergent during the cleaning process. This water-soluble unit dose form does not require consumers to weigh their own doses and does not suffer from accidental leaks of detergent that some consumers find cumbersome and inconvenient. Means that.

However, such water-soluble unit-dose articles may suffer premature rupture during storage, especially due to poor sealing between the two films that make up the unit-dose article. Often, such unit dose articles are stored in flexible resealable sachets or rigid sealable tabbed containers. In any case, premature rupture of a water-soluble unit-dose article can adversely affect the dosing experience as the contents inside the prematurely ruptured unit-dose article contaminate other non-early ruptured unit-dose articles. .. Therefore, consumers may find a "cumbersome" and inconvenient dosing experience.

In addition, poor sealing may occur during the manufacturing process of unit dose articles. Such defects waste resources and time as the ruptured pouch needs to be discarded.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to improve the sealing strength of the encapsulation region of the water soluble unit dose article to reduce premature rupture of the unit dose article before use and during production by the consumer. ..

There is also a need to improve the consumer's detergent administration experience in the art.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the use of water-soluble unit dose articles according to the present invention overcomes these technical problems.

A first aspect of the present invention is the use of a first water-soluble film and a second water-soluble film in the production of a water-soluble unit dose article containing a detergent composition, the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film. The films are sealed together along the sealing region in order to improve the sealing strength in the sealing region, and the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film are chemically different from each other. Yes, the first water-soluble film has a first water capacity, the second water-soluble film has a second water capacity, the first water capacity is less than the second water capacity, and the first water-soluble film. The difference in water capacity between the film and the second water-soluble film is 0.01% to 1%.

The second use of the present invention is the use of a unit dose article containing at least a first water-soluble film, a second water-soluble film, and a detergent composition, the first water-soluble film, the second water-soluble film, and the detergent composition. Detergents enhance the consumer's detergent administration experience according to the present invention.

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

Use The present invention aims to use the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film in the production of a water-soluble unit dose article containing a detergent composition, and the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film are used. In order to improve the sealing strength in the sealing region, they are sealed together along the sealing region. Unit-dose articles, first water-soluble films, second water-soluble films and detergents are described in more detail below.

Use is preferred, which improves sealing strength within the sealing region and reduces the amount of waste material during the manufacture 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, second water soluble film, and detergent. Improves the consumer's detergent administration experience with the present invention.

Preferably, the consumer's detergent administration experience comprises moving at least one water soluble unit dose article from the storage container to the automatic washing machine, preferably the drum of the automatic washing machine. Alternatively, a water soluble unit dose article 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 article may be dispensed from the storage container into the washing machine, preferably into the drum. Those skilled in the art will recognize suitable storage containers.

Those skilled in the art will recognize suitable automatic washing machines. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the automatic washing machine is equipped with a drum and drawer, and that the drum or drawer can be placed and that both the fabric and the water-soluble unit dose article can be added to it as appropriate. , Will recognize.

Those skilled in the art will recognize suitable storage containers. Preferably, the storage container is flexible, preferably resealable, baggage, rigid, preferably resealable, tabbed container or a mixture thereof, preferably book storage. The container is equipped with a pediatric safety lid. Those skilled in the art will recognize suitable pediatric safety lids.

Preferably, the improved consumer dosing experience comprises reducing the hassle for the consumer and increasing the convenience during the dosing action.

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

Water-Soluble Unit-Dose Article The present invention aims to use the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film in the production of the water-soluble unit-dose article containing the detergent composition, and the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film. The sex film is sealed together along the sealing region in order to improve the sealing strength in the sealing region.

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 the water-soluble film. The water-soluble films are sealed together to define an internal compartment, which also prevents the detergent composition from leaking out of the compartment during storage. However, when the water-soluble unit dose article is added to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and the contents of the internal compartment are released into the cleaning solution.

The area where the two films touch and are sealed together is called the sealing area. Often, the sealing region comprises a region of the first water-soluble film that is sealed into the region of the second water-soluble film, and is usually a "hem" or "flange" that rises from the body of the unit dose article. including. The preferred method of making a unit dose article is described in more detail below.

It should be understood that compartment means a closed interior space within a unit dose article that holds the detergent composition. During production, the first water-soluble film according to the invention may be formed to include an opening compartment to which the detergent composition is added. The second water-soluble film according to the present invention is then laid over the first film in an orientation that seals the openings in the compartment. The first and second films are then sealed together along the sealing area.

The unit dose article may include two or more compartments, further at least two compartments, or even at least three compartments. The compartments may be arranged in a superimposing orientation, i.e., one is located above the other. In such an orientation, the unit dose article comprises three films, top, center 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, i.e., one oriented adjacent to the other. The compartments may further be oriented in a "tire and rim" arrangement, i.e., 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 compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment. In such a multi-segment orientation, 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 present invention is then laid over the first film in an orientation that seals the openings in the compartment.

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 overlaid on the larger compartment. The stacked compartments are preferably oriented in parallel.

In 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 in two or three compartments.

Each compartment may contain the same composition or different compositions. The different compositions may all have the same or 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 dose article comprises at least three compartments and the detergent composition. The object is contained within at least one of the compartments.

First and Second Water Soluble Films The water soluble unit dose articles include 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 each other.

For the avoidance of doubt, in the context of the present invention, "chemically different" as used herein refers to "virgin film", that is, the manufacture of unit dose articles received from the supplier / manufacturer. At least one substance present in at least one of the film compositions that distinguishes the first film from the second film for each test method described herein by the film prior to unwinding in units. It means that the film has at least one physical film property that affects the water capacity and is different between the first film and the second film. Variations in the chemical composition of the film due to the natural manufacturing process, i.e., variations between batches, are not considered to be chemically different films in their own right within the scope of the invention.

Non-limiting examples of chemically distinct substances include the use of different polymer target resins and / or contents, different plasticizer compositions and / or contents, or different surfactants and / or contents. Water-soluble unit-dose articles having the same substance content, such as films containing films with independent physical properties but different film thicknesses, are considered outside the scope of the present invention. Unit-dose articles made of film, which are independently distinguished through the presence / absence of a coating layer, are also considered outside the scope of the invention.

The first water-soluble film has a first water capacity, the second water-soluble film has a second water capacity, and the first water capacity is less than the second water capacity.

The difference in water capacity 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, the term "difference" means the difference between the value of the first water capacity and the value of the second water capacity. As used herein, "water capacity" means the capacity of a film to absorb water over a period of time at a particular relative humidity and temperature, as measured as the mass gain of the film being tested. .. The method of measuring the water capacity is described in more detail below.

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

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

Preferably, the first water soluble film is thermoformed during the production of the unit dose article. As used herein, "thermoforming" means that the film is heated prior to deformation, i.e., by passing the film under an infrared lamp, preferably by laying a water-soluble film over the cavity and under the film. By applying a vacuum or keeping it under pressure in the cavity, it means that the deformation process is possible. The second water-soluble film may be thermoformed during the production of the unit dose article. Alternatively, the second water-soluble film does not have to be thermoformed during the production of the unit dose article. Preferably, the first water-soluble film is thermoformed during the production of the unit dose article and the second water soluble film is not thermoformed during the production of the unit dose article.

The first water-soluble film, the second water-soluble film, or a mixture thereof, is 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 before incorporation into the unit dose article is less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, more preferably less than 20%. , Even more preferably less than 10%, or even 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 through solution casting.

The first water-soluble film may have a first tensile strain of 300% to 1600%, preferably 400% to 1200%, more preferably 700% to 1200% at break. The method for 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 is prebalanced with the detergent composition in contact with the film in a unit dose article containing the film and detergent composition and stretches prior to break when stress is applied. It means the performance of the film. The method for 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%, and more preferably 200% to 500%. As used herein, the "difference in tensile strain at break" means the difference in the values of the first tensile strain at break and the 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, the first tensile modulus is higher than the second tensile modulus, and the second The difference between the 1 tensile elastic modulus and the 2nd tensile elastic modulus is 0.5 MPa to 10 MPa, preferably 1 MPa to 8 MPa, and more preferably 2 MPa to 7 MPa.

As used herein, the term "difference" means the difference between the value of the first tensile modulus and the value of the second tensile modulus. As used herein, the "tensile modulus" means the performance of a film that stretches when stress is applied. The method for measuring the tensile modulus will be described in more detail below.

The first tensile elastic modulus is preferably 1 MPa to 20 MPa, more preferably 3 MPa to 20 MPa.

The second tensile elastic modulus is preferably 1 MPa to 15 MPa, more preferably 3 MPa to 15 MPa.

Preferably, 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 comprises at least one polyvinyl alcohol or at least one polyvinyl alcohol copolymer or a blend thereof, and the second water-soluble resin is at least one polyvinyl alcohol or at least one. Includes polyvinyl alcohol copolymers or blends thereof.

The first water-soluble resin may include a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing an anionic monomer unit, and based on the total weight of the first water-soluble resin, this blend is preferably 0% by weight. More preferably, it contains ~ 70% by weight of a first water-soluble resin of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing an anionic monomer unit and 30% by weight to about 100% by weight of a first water-soluble resin of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. , This blend comprises 10% to 70%, even more preferably 15% to less than 65%, even more preferably 20% to 50%, most preferably 30% to 40%, polyvinyl alcohol containing anionic monomer units. Includes copolymers and first water-soluble resins of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers of 30% to 90%, or greater than 35% to 85%, or 50% to 80%, or 60% to 70% by weight. The polyvinyl alcohol copolymer can be present at a concentration totaling 100% with the concentration of the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer.

Polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers mean polyvinyl alcohol, which comprises 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 anion-modified polyvinyl alcohol units.

The second water-soluble resin may include a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing an anionic monomer unit, and based on the total weight of the second water-soluble resin in the film, this blend is preferably used. More preferably, based on the total weight of the second water-soluble resin in the film, it contains 0% to 70% polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing anionic monomer units and 30% to 100% polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. The blend comprises a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing 10% to 70%, even more preferably 15% to 65%, even more preferably 20% to 50%, most preferably 30% to 40%, anionic monomer units. And 30% to 90%, or 35% to 85%, or 50% to 80%, or 60% to 70% by weight, a second water-soluble resin of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. The polyvinyl alcohol copolymer can be present at a concentration totaling 100% with the concentration of the 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 vinyl acetic acid, alkyl acrylate, maleic acid, maleic acid mono. Alkyl, dialkyl maleate, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, monoalkyl fumarate, dialkyl fumarate, monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, fumarate anhydride, itaconic acid, monomethyl itaconic acid, itaconic acid Dimethyl acid, itaconic anhydride, citraconic acid, monoalkyl citraconate, dialkyl citraconate, anhydride anhydride, mesaconic acid, monoalkyl mesaconate, dialkyl mesaconate, mesaconic anhydride, glutaconic acid, monoalkyl glutaconate, glutaconic acid Dialkyl, glutaconic anhydride, vinyl sulfonic acid, alkyl sulfonic acid, ethylene sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamide-1-methyl propane sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, 2-methyl acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid It may be independently selected from the group consisting of anionic monomers derived from acids, 2-sulfoethyl acrylates, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof.
Preferably, the anionic monomer unit consists of an anionic monomer derived from maleic acid, monoalkyl maleate, dialkyl maleate, maleic anhydride, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof. Selected from
More preferably, the anionic monomer unit consists of an anionic monomer derived from maleic acid, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof. Is selected from.

Preferably, the first and second polyvinyl alcohol copolymers are independently 1 mol% to 8 mol%, more preferably 2 mol% to 5 mol%, most preferably 3 mol% with respect to the total polyvinyl alcohol copolymer present. Contains ~ 4 mol% 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. Has 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 in desalted water at 25 ° C., 4 cP to 40 cP, preferably 10 cP. It has a solution viscosity of 4% in the range of ~ 30 cP, more preferably 12 cP ~ 25 cP.

Preferably, the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film are independently 30% to 90%, more preferably 40% to 80%, even more preferably 50% to 75%, and 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 property of less than 6.2, preferably less than 6, more preferably less than 5.8, according to the article-administering machine wash-dissolution test method of the unit-dose article described below.

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

The print area may extend over a continuous portion of the film, or may extend over a portion of the continuous portion, i.e. the narrower area of the print, the sum of which is the internal space of the film surface or compartment. Corresponds to 10-80% of the contact film surface and / or both.

The print area may include inks, pigments, dyes, bluish agents, or mixtures thereof. The print area may be opaque, translucent or transparent.

The print area may include a single color, or may include a plurality of colors, or even three colors. The print area may include white, black, blue, red or a mixture thereof. The print may be present as a layer on the surface of the film or may at least partially penetrate into the film. The film includes a first side and a second side. The print area may be on one side of the film or 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 inkjet printing. Preferably, the print area is obtained via flexographic printing, in which case the film is printed and then molded into the shape of the opening compartment. Next, the detergent composition is filled in this compartment, and a second film is placed above the compartment and sealed into 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 so that all or at least a portion of the film is colored.

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

The first and / or second films may further contain other active substances typically known to those of skill in the art, including water, plasticizers and surfactants.

Detergent Compositions Detergent compositions may be in the form of free-flowing powders, liquids, compressed solids, gels or mixtures 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. Those skilled in the art will 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 connection with the liquid detergent compositions of the present invention, the term "liquid" includes forms such as dispersions, gels, pastes and the like. The liquid composition may contain the gas in a properly subdivided form. However, liquid compositions exclude forms that are entirely non-liquid, 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 that comprises a liquid that can be treated by wetting the fabric, such as washing clothes in a household washing machine.

Laundry detergent compositions are used during the main cleaning process, but can also be used as pretreatment or dipping compositions.

Examples of the laundry detergent composition include fabric detergents, fabric softeners, two-in-one type detergents and fabric softeners, pretreatment compositions and the like.

Laundry detergent compositions include bleach, bleach catalysts, dyes, hue dyes, whitening agents, cleaning polymers containing alkoxylated polyamines and polyethyleneimine, stain-releasing polymers, surfactants, solvents, stain inhibitors, chelates. Agents, builders, enzymes, fragrances, capsule-type fragrances, polycarboxylates, leology modifiers, structuring agents, hydrotropes, pigments and dyes, bleaching agents, preservatives, antioxidants, processing aids, cationic polymers It may include conditioning polymers, antibacterial agents, pH trimming agents such as hydroxides and alkanolamines, foam inhibitors, and components selected from mixtures thereof.

Surfactants 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 alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylethoxylated 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 alkylbenzene sulfonic acids and salts thereof, as well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate materials.

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

Shading dyes used in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may include polymeric or non-polymeric dyes, pigments, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the shading dye comprises a polymeric dye, including a chromophore component and a polymeric component. The chromophore component is characterized in that when exposed to light, it absorbs light with wavelengths in the range of blue, red, violet, purple, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the chromophore component exhibits an absorption spectrum of up to about 520 nanometers to about 640 nanometers in water and / or methanol, and in other embodiments from about 560 nanometers to about 560 nanometers in water and / or methanol. It shows an absorption spectrum of 610 nanometers.

Any suitable chromophore can be used, but 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 suitable.

The dye may be incorporated into the detergent composition in the form of an unrefined mixture that is a direct product of the organic synthetic pathway. Thus, in addition to dye polymers, there may be a mixture of dye polymers containing small amounts of unreacted starting material, side reaction products and repeating units of different chain lengths that are expected to result from any polymerization step.

The laundry detergent composition may contain one or more detergency enzymes that provide detergency and / or fabric care effects. Examples of suitable enzymes include hemicellulase, peroxidase, protease, cellulase, xylanase, lipase, phosphorlipase, esterase, cutinase, pectinase, keratanase, reductase, oxidase, phenoloxidase, lipoxygenase, ligninase, purlanase, tanase, pentosanase, 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 conventional applicable enzymes such as protease, lipase, cutinase and / or cellulase combined with amylase.

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

The composition may include a whitening agent. Suitable whitening agents are stilbenes such as whitening agent 15. Other suitable whitening agents are hydrophobic whitening agents and whitening agents 49. The whitening agent may be in the form of finely divided particles 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 whitening agent may be in alpha crystal form or beta crystal 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 acids and salts thereof, and any combination thereof may be included.

The composition of the present invention may also contain one or more anti-transfer agents. Suitable polymer transfer inhibitors include polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidone, and polyvinylimidazole, or mixtures thereof. Not limited.

The laundry detergent composition may contain one or more polymers. Suitable polymers include polyester stain-releasing polymers such as carboxylate polymers, polyethylene glycol polymers and terephthalate polymers, amine polymers, cellulose-based polymers, anti-transfer polymers, and condensed oligomers produced by the condensation of imidazole with epichlorohydrin. Dye-fixing polymers such as, optionally in a ratio of 1-4-1 hexamethylenediamine derivative polymers, and any combination thereof.

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

Another suitable substituted cellulosic polymer is cation-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

Suitable fragrances include fragrance microcapsules, polymer auxiliary fragrance delivery systems containing Schiff basic fragrances / polymer complexes, starch-encapsulated fragrance accords, fragrance-filled zeolites, blooming fragrance accords, and any combination thereof. Suitable fragrance microcapsules are melamine formaldehyde based and typically include fragrances encapsulated by a shell containing melamine formaldehyde. It may be very suitable for such perfume microcapsules to contain in the shell a cationic material and / or a cationic precursor material such as polyvinyl formamide (PVF) and / or cationic modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (catHEC).

Suitable foam inhibitors include fatty acids such as silicone and / or 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 a non-direct dye having an average degree of alkoxylation of at least 16.

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

Methods for Producing Unit-Dose Articles One of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of the process for producing the detergent compositions of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize standard processes and equipment for producing the detergent compositions.

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

A preferred method for producing a water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention is to mold a first water-soluble film in a mold to form an open cavity, fill the cavity with a detergent composition, and lay a second film over the first film. The cavity is closed, and the first and second films are preferably sealed together via a solvent seal, preferably the solvent comprises water, comprising the step of producing a water-soluble unit dose article.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood to be strictly limited to the exact numbers given. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the stated value and the functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, the dimensions disclosed as "40 mm" are intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Test protocol 1. Unit-dose article encapsulation test method This test method is an Instron universal material tester with a load cell of up to 100 kN (kilonewton) (Instron Industrial Products, Massachusetts, 02062-2643, Norwood, University Avenue 825). Describes the performance of poor sealing measurement of unit dose articles using. The method measures poor encapsulation of a unit dose article by applying pressure to the film and encapsulation area through compression of the unit dose article. Unit-dose articles that open at pressures below 250 N in the sealing region are reported as poor sealing.

Immediately one hour after production of the unit dose article, poor sealing of the unit dose article was measured so that the film / unit dose article had a set time after processing. The method was performed in an indoor environment at 30% -40% relative humidity (RH) and 20% -23 ° C. The stored unit dose articles were rebalanced into the laboratory environment for 1 hour prior to testing.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the basic structure of a poor sealing test for unit dose articles. In order to measure poor sealing of the unit dose article, the unit dose article 510 is encapsulated in a plastic degassing bag 500 (150 mm × 124 mm with seal, 60 micron thickness-eg, Raja grip RGP6B) and the unit dose article Prevented pollution of the working environment in the event of a rupture. After encapsulation in the bag, the unit dose article 510 was placed in the center between the two compression plates 520 and 530 of the testing machine. A sealing width dimension of 540 (eg, the smallest dimension in a defined rectangular plane that just covers the sealing area, 41 mm in the actual unit dose article tested) is between the compression plates (x direction). Placed the unit dose article 510 in an upright position so that stress was applied to the sealing width. For compression, the speed at which the distance between the plates 520 and 530 is reduced is set to 60 mm / min. Ten iterations are performed per test step to report the number of unit dose articles that have failed to seal, i.e., an opening in the sealing region at a pressure below 250N.

2. 2. Water capacity measurement method The water capacity was measured using a DVS (dynamic water vapor adsorption) device. The device used was SPS-DVS (SPSx-1μ-high load model with permeability kit) from ProUmid. The DVS uses weight measurement for measuring 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 can be in the range of + 5 to + 60 ° C. The microbalance in the device can decompose a mass change of 0.1 μg. Two iterations of each film are measured and average water volume values are reported.

For certain conditions of the test, a 6-dish circular conveyor that allows 5 films to be tested at the same time (1 dish is used as a reference for the microbalance and must remain empty). Was used.

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

The temperature was fixed at 20 ° C. Relative humidity (RH) was set to 35% for 6 hours and then gradually increased to 50% in 5 minutes. 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 the DVS records each weight result over time and% Dm (relative mass variation relative to the starting weight of the film, ie 10%). , Reflecting a 10% increase in film weight relative to the starting film weight) is calculated automatically.

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

3. 3. Tensile Strain Test and Modulus Test The following water-soluble films are characterized or tested by tensile strain by tensile strain (TS) test and elastic modulus (modulus or modulus) by elastic modulus (MOD) test. Analyzed as per. This procedure includes the measurement of tensile strain and the measurement of elastic 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 Products, Massachusetts, 02062-2643, Norwood, University Avenue 825) was used to collect film data. Dimensional stability and reproducibility are ensured by reliable cutting tools (eg, JDC Precision Sample Cutting Machines, Models 1-10 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Twoning Albert Instrument Company). A minimum of three test pieces were tested in the longitudinal direction (MD) (where applicable), i.e., in the roll winding / unwinding direction of the water soluble film for each measurement. The water-soluble film was pretreated to test environment conditions for a minimum of 48 hours. The tests were performed in a standard laboratory atmosphere at 23 ± 2.0 ° C. and 35 ± 5% relative humidity. A sample of a single film sheet 2.54 cm (1 ″) wide with a thickness of 76.2 ± 3.8 μm (or 3.0 ± 0.15 mils) to measure tensile strain and modulus. For the modulus test, the virgin film was tested. For the tensile strain test, the test film was first pre-immersed in the test detergent according to the protocol described below. The sample was then instrumented. The test proceeded by moving to a Ron tensile tester. The tensile tester was prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions, equipped with a 500N load cell and calibrated. Appropriate grip and face (rubber coated and width An Instron grip with a face of model number 2702-032, or equivalent, which is 25 mm, was fitted. The sample was mounted on a tensile tester and stretched at a rate of 1 N / min to have a modulus of elasticity (ie, elasticity). Stress-strain curve gradient in the deformation region) and tensile strain at break (ie, modulus of elongation obtained at film break, ie 100% reflects the starting length, 200% stretched twice at break Analyzed to measure (reflecting the film). At a minimum, the average of the three specimens was calculated and reported.

Film Pre-immersion Protocol Film samples measured at 11 cm x 12 cm were made for both films intended to be used to form encapsulation compartments for encapsulating liquid household detergent compositions. A total of 750 mL of household liquid detergent composition was required for each test film, intended to be encapsulated in a sealing compartment containing the test film. The bottom of the receptor for the transparent inert glass was covered with a thin layer of liquid, and the film to be tested was laid on the liquid, and the air bubbles trapped under the film were gently pushed toward the sides. The residual liquid is then gently poured onto the top of the film in such a way that the film is then completely immersed in the liquid. The film should not be wrinkled and air bubbles should not come into contact with the film. The film remained in contact with the liquid and was stored at 35 ° C. for 6 days and at 21 ° C. overnight under closed container conditions. A separate glass receptor was used for each test film. The film was then removed from the storage container and excess liquid was removed from the film. A piece of paper was placed on a film laid on top of the label, then the film was thoroughly wiped dry with dry paper. As described above, the film was finally pretreated to the tensile strain environment test conditions. A virgin film was used for the tensile strain test if it was intended to enclose a solid household detergent composition.

The following unit-dose articles were prepared and tested for the sealing strength of the unit-dose articles for each 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 water volume values according to the invention, comparative unit dose articles outside the scope of the invention are single film type. It is made from other than.

Multisection water-soluble unit dose articles with a 41 mm × 43 mm footprint, 20.1 mm cavity depth, and 25 mL cavity volume were prepared via thermoforming / vacuum forming. For the duplex film embodiment, films B and D were used as sealing films, respectively, while films A and C of the unit dose article were deformed under reduced pressure. Standard cleaning compositions commercially available in the United Kingdom in January 2016 were encapsulated within these unit dose articles in the bottom compartment of the graceful, abiotic three-in-one water soluble unit dose article product.

Table 1 below details the film compositions used in the preparation of comparative unit dose articles and example unit dose articles.

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

From Table 3 below, two film unit dose articles 1 and 2 differing in water volume, according to the scope of the invention, are both compared to the corresponding Comparative Examples 1 and 2 which are not single film. It is clear that both provide good sealing strength.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood to be strictly limited to the exact numbers given. Rather, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension shall mean both the stated value and the functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, the dimension disclosed as "40 mm" shall mean "about 40 mm".

All documents cited herein, including either cross-referenced or related patents or applications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. Be incorporated. Citations of any document are not considered prior art for any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or combined with it independently or in combination with any other reference (s). At that time, it is not considered to teach, suggest, or disclose all such inventions. If any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with 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. And.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been exemplified and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, all such modifications and amendments included within the scope of the present invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

A method for producing a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a detergent composition comprising the use of a first water-soluble film and a second water-soluble film, wherein the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film are sealed. In order to improve the sealing strength in the region, it is sealed together along the sealing region.
The first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film are chemically different from each other, the first water-soluble film has a first water capacity, and the second water-soluble film is a second. It has a water capacity, the first water capacity is less than the second water capacity, and the difference in water capacity between the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film is 0.083% to 0.147. % , The production method. The production method according to claim 1, wherein the sealing strength in the sealing region is improved to reduce the amount of waste material during the production of a water-soluble unit dose article. The production method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first water-soluble film has a water capacity of 1% to 10%. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second water-soluble film has a water capacity of 1.5% to 12%. The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first water-soluble film contains a first water-soluble resin, and the second water-soluble film contains a second water-soluble resin. The production method according to claim 5, wherein the first water-soluble resin comprises a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing an anionic monomer unit. The production method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second water-soluble resin comprises a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer containing an anionic monomer unit. The anionic monomer unit is vinylacetic acid, alkyl acrylate, maleic acid, monoalkyl maleate, dialkyl maleate, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, monoalkyl fumarate, dialkyl fumarate, fumalu. Monomethyl acid, dimethyl fumarate, fumaric acid anhydride, itaconic acid, monomethyl itaconic acid, dimethyl itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, citraconic acid, monoalkyl citraconate, dialkyl citraconate, anhydride anhydride, mesaconic acid, monoalkyl mesaconate , Dialkyl mesaconate, mesaconic acid anhydride, glutaconic acid, monoalkyl glutaconate, dialkyl glutaconate, glutaconic acid anhydride, vinyl sulfonic acid, alkyl sulfonic acid, ethylene sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamide-1-methylpropan sulfonic acid, 2- From anionic monomers derived from acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-methylacrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-sulfoethylacrylate, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof. The production method according to claim 6 or 7, which is selected from the group. Any of claims 1-8, wherein the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film independently have a thickness of 40 micrometers to 100 micrometers before being incorporated into the unit dose article. The manufacturing method described in Crab. Claim that the first water-soluble film has a first tensile strain of 300% to 1600% at break, and the second water-soluble film has a second tensile strain of 300% to 1200% at break. The production method according to any one of 1 to 9. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the difference between the first tensile strain at break and the second tensile strain at break is 10% to 1000%.

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