KR950012210B1 - Packaging film and sachet product - Google Patents

Abstract

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Description

[Name of invention]

Packaging film and pouch products

Detailed description of the invention

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a composite packaging film that can be dispersed in water without leaving visible residue. The invention also relates to a laundry treatment product in the form of a water dispersible bag filled with a laundry treatment composition, for example a detergent composition.

[Background and Prior Art]

The use of water-soluble film materials such as polyvinyl alcohol for bags and pouches filled with detergent compositions and other laundry treatment products is widely known in the art, for example in Japanese Patent No. 61 057 700A (Kao).

A problem with conventional water soluble film materials such as polyvinyl alcohol is that they tend to feel sticky when handled with wet hands. This “wet stickiness” is a particular drawback in the case of laundry treated pouch products that are often handled by the user with wet hands. In extreme cases, the pocket product sticks to the user's hand, causing partial rupture.

This stickiness can also cause problems when the bag is stored in contact with another bag under high humidity conditions. In other words, there is a possibility that the bag will rupture in the process of sticking to another bag and separating it.

EP & 253 566A (Procter & Gamble) is made of a water-soluble film material (e.g. polyethylene oxide) with an outer layer material of elastic, porous, water-insoluble or water dispersible sheet material (e.g. nonwoven fabric). It is announced about detergent bag product. It is not sticky even under high humidity storage conditions. However, from the consumer's point of view, the use of the undissolved outer layer material after washing in the laundry is cumbersome.

In Japanese Patent No. 01 029 438A (Kao), a film suitable for use as a detergent bag wall material is prepared by coating a base film with fine water-insoluble powder applied by spraying an aqueous dispersion on one or both sides of a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol base film. It is announced about. This coating treatment reduces the tendency of the plaque to be damaged by atmospheric humidity.

European Patent No. 79 2488 (Unilever) discloses a water soluble polyvinyl alcohol film detergent bag product wherein the bag wall has a protective inner layer of inert hydrophobic particulate plastic material (eg polytetrafluoroethylene), thereby preventing the water or reactivity of the bag contents. A product that can prevent attack by ingredients has been announced.

The methods have the drawback that water-insoluble particulate material is introduced into the bag product and therefore remains as a visible residue on the washed fabric.

The present inventors can now reduce the tackiness of water soluble film materials such as polyvinyl alcohol to an acceptable level without adversely affecting the dissolution properties of the bag material as a whole and leaving no visible residue in the washed fabric. I learned how.

[Definition of Invention]

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a laminate of at least partially non-particulate discrete layers of a second plastic material that is less water soluble than the base film material on one or both sides of a continuous base film that is water soluble in water at a desired temperature. A composite packaging film made of the present invention provides a composite packaging film that can be dispersed without leaving visible residue in water that is gently stirred at the desired temperature.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a composite film as defined in the previous paragraph, wherein the composite film is in the form of a print pattern composed of a plurality of individual elements small enough such that at least partially non-particulate discrete layers are not visible to the naked eye. to provide.

As a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a composite film as defined in the previous paragraph, wherein the second plastic material is preferably applied as a solution to the base film by printing techniques to form at least partially non-particulate discrete layers. It provides a manufacturing method.

As a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a packaging product for releasing a composition or article in an aqueous environment, the packaging comprising a composite film material in which the discontinuous layer is laminated at least partially on at least an outer surface of the film as defined above. Provide the product.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a product in which a discontinuous layer is present on at least an outer surface of the bag or bag, as a bag or bag type wash, wash or wash treatment product composed at least in part of a composite film material as defined above.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a laundry bag product in the form of a sealed bag consisting at least in part of a composite film material as defined above, wherein at least a discontinuous layer is present on the outer surface of the bag and the bag is filled with the laundry treatment composition. Provide treatment products.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to packaging composite film materials of articles or compositions for release in an aqueous environment and also to the use of the composite film materials for packaging products, in particular for cleaning, cleaning or laundry treatment products.

[Composite film material]

Composite film materials consist of two essential components: the base film and the discrete layer.

Base films are substances that can be readily dissolved in an aqueous environment at temperatures that require the release of the contents of the packaged product. Preference is given to films which are soluble in water at relatively low temperatures for washing (generally called cold water soluble films).

Water soluble packaging films are widely described in the literature and include cellulose ethers such as polyethylene oxide, alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose and methylcellulose, starch and starch derivatives, gelatin and mixtures of these materials.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the base film is at least partly composed of polyvinyl alcohol. As used herein, the term polyvinyl alcohol is used to include partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate. Such materials are widely described in the literature.

The base film is conveniently a heat sealable material that can be easily molded into a bag, pouch or other packaging product. If the heat sealability of the base film is insufficient, the heat sealability can be increased by coating the thermoplastic material on a surface which does not laminate at least partially non-particulate discrete layers. Such a coating may be provided at least where the seal should be made and may be provided as a continuous or discontinuous layer for the entire film.

The thermoplastic layer may be of a form similar to the discontinuous layer of the second plastic material when discontinuous (the preferred form is described in detail later). In view of the overall water dispersibility of the composite film, generally preferred is a discontinuous layer of thermoplastic material.

The dissolution rate and solubility of the base film should be at least at the same level as the above proposed ultimate requirement for the composite film (i.e. it should be almost completely dispersed (or dissolved) in water which is lightly stirred at the desired temperature without leaving visible residue). . Suitable methods for determining the dispersion characteristics are described in the Examples below. Of course, the temperature at which nearly complete dispersion of the composite film is required depends on the intended use of the film.

The at least partially non-incidentally discrete layer consists of a second plastic material having a lower solubility than the base film material at that temperature. However, the plastic material is preferably insoluble in water at that temperature. The choice of this material depends in part on how it is applied to the base film.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the discontinuous layer is effective to prevent stickiness when wet. In the present specification, the term "stickiness" when the film is wet means a tendency of giving the film a sticky feeling when handled with wet hands. The stickiness during severe wetting may result in rapid rupture of the pocket, but the weakness of the wetness causes discomfort to the consumer and lowers the reliability of the product. Stickiness when wet can be assessed by the tests described in the Examples below.

However, although not generally effective in preventing stickiness during wetting, films having discontinuous layers that protect from bag adhesion and atmospheric humidity during storage are also within the scope of the present invention.

If a single layer does not provide the desired level of protection from stickiness, two or more layers may be stacked.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the discontinuous layer takes the form of a print pattern or matrix of individual elements that is small enough to not form visible residue after dispersion. These elements may have any suitable shape, but for convenience the printing term "dot" will be used.

The "dots" are preferably close enough to prevent stickiness upon wetting. Without being bound by theory, the "dot" should be close enough and of sufficient size so that wet hands in contact with the printed film are only in contact with the "dot" and not in contact with the untreated parts in between. . The "dot" spacing should be such as to prevent the formation of a liquid bridge between the hand and the membrane when handling the pouch with wet hands.

On the other hand, the separation between "dots" should be such that under adequate aqueous conditions the membrane can break down into sufficiently small units. In general, the dot does not necessarily have to be completely separated from other dots, and a coalesced surface may be allowed, provided that the material of the discontinuous layer will collapse as a part of the general collapse of the composite film material under appropriate aqueous conditions. It must be sufficiently degradable to the extent that it can.

The area, height and separation of the dots also depend somewhat on the solubility in water of the material applied by printing. The lower the solubility in water, the more important it is to be able to enter and exit the base film sufficiently to affect the dissolution in the aqueous environment of the intended use.

By using printing techniques to form a pattern of "dots", a completely insoluble material can be used for the discontinuous layer without compromising the dispersion properties of the film. A preferred material that has been successfully tested is nitrocellulose.

If desired, the discontinuous layer may be made of a material that is completely nonparticulate, which is desirable in that it minimizes the chance of residue formation during washing.

However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to contain usable particulate filler materials, such as silica, which have very small particle sizes (less than "dots") to facilitate disintegration of the discontinuous layer.

Although the discontinuous layer is preferably present only on one side of the base film, it is also within the scope of the present invention to laminate each of the discontinuous layers on both sides of the base film.

[Production of Composite Film]

As described above, the composite film is preferably prepared by applying a second plastic material from solution to the base film to form a discontinuous pattern. This is most preferably done by printing technique.

Suitable printing processes include screen printing and in particular various gravure processes, for example direct reverse-roll gravure or offset or indirect gravure processes. Any normal gravure pattern (e.g. trihelical, square or pyramid) is suitable as long as it meets the above criteria for "dot" height and spacing.

The second plastic material is a solution such as a non-aqueous solvent (e.g. acetone, tetrahydrofuran or toluene) in order to avoid excessive "dot" fusion by avoiding contact with the water-sensitive base film and water and drying it quickly. It is advantageous to apply to the base film from. The area, height and separation of the "dots" can be controlled by the viscosity of the printing solution.

All microparticulate filler materials contained should be insoluble in the printing solvent.

As described above, two or more layers may be applied as necessary.

Any thermoplastic coating to improve the heat sealing potential is conveniently applied by the same method as is used for the composite film of the second plastic material, preferably by printing techniques, in particular gravure printing. Preferably it is advantageously applied as a "dot" in the same way as the second plastic material when the thermoplastic layer is discontinuous.

[Prepared products]

The present invention also provides a packaged product composed in part or wholly of the composite film of the present invention. The composite film is useful for packaging products that require the rapid or slow release of the contents into an aqueous environment. The discontinuous layer is located on the outer surface or on both sides of the film.

The composite films of the present invention are not only used in the field of washing, cleaning and laundry treatment described in more detail below, but also useful for packaging products other than washing or cleaning that require the release of the contents into an aqueous environment.

Cleaning, cleaning or laundry treatment products

The composite film of the present invention is particularly useful for washing, cleaning and laundry treatment products.

As described in more detail below, one preferred aspect of the present invention is a laundry treatment product. However, the use of composite films in the field of cleaning and cleaning can be handled in various ways. For example, in the automatic dishwasher, a detergent bag that is released quickly is used. In the case of bath essences, a bag that is released slowly is used. Clearly the rate of dispersion and the appropriate temperature to use will vary considerably depending on the emission characteristics required. Dishwasher bags suitable for use in current commercial dishwashers should generally be made to expel their contents quickly at 50-60 ° C. In the case of bath essence pouches, more progressive release at lower temperatures is suitable.

Another use of the composite film of the present invention in the field of washing and cleaning is to use in bags for handling infected laundry in hospitals. Contaminated objects can be sealed in a bag and then transported to a laundry room, which is integrated into a washing machine to avoid the risk of human infection.

[Laundry Products]

As described above, a preferred aspect of the present invention is a product for treating laundry in a home or industrial washing machine. Preferred products take the form of a sealed bag which is filled with the laundry treatment composition and at least partly composed of the composite film of the present invention.

The composite film preferably has a discontinuous layer on only one side (ie, the outer surface of the bag).

Preferred pouches of the present invention disintegrate relatively rapidly into wash water at ambient or above temperatures (depending on washing conditions) without tackiness when handled with wet hands, releasing their contents and providing visibility within the wash cycle time. It is dispersed without leaving a residue.

In addition, the pouch according to the present invention has improved storage stability by reducing the tendency to stick with others when stored in close proximity under damp conditions.

The bag disintegrates within 10 minutes, preferably within 5 minutes, more preferably in 2 parts, and in 30 minutes, preferably within 10 minutes, more preferably within 5 minutes in 40 ° C. lightly stirred water. It is desirable that it can be dispersed almost completely without leaving water.

Pouches for use in cold laundering disintegrate in 25 minutes in mildly stirred water within 10 minutes, preferably within 5 minutes, more preferably within 2 minutes, within 30 minutes, preferably within 10 minutes, more preferably Preferably, it can be dispersed almost completely within 5 minutes without leaving a visible residue.

The pocket may have any suitable shape and structure. The simplest shapes on both sides of manufacture and packaging are square and rectangular, but any other desired shape is within the scope of the present invention.

The pocket may consist of a single compartment or may consist of multiple compartments. In the case of a two-compartment bag according to the invention, the compartments can be connected face to face, for example, side by side or by a common wall with a common envelop. If the two compartments are very different in size, the former structure is more suitable or easier to make. Other multi-compartment structures are described in EP 236 136A (Unilever).

If you want, you can tie several pockets together. In this case, it is connected to the cutout so that the consumer can separate and use each pocket. For example, when one bag contains half the amount of the recommended amount of the laundry treatment composition for standard laundry, the bags may be connected in pairs. In this way, a pair of pouches are used for standard washing, but only one pouch can be used for half level washing, and three pouches can be used for washing particularly contaminated laundry.

Of course, the size of the bag will depend on the amount of the laundry treatment composition to be contained, and the type of composition, the washing conditions used will also depend on whether the bag is used once or in half (or other small units). The filling level of the bag can be up to 100% (volume) and is preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%.

Pocket contents

The contents of the bag may include any composition used for the purpose of processing the fabric in a washing machine.

Suitable treatment compositions include fully formulated detergent compositions, components of detergent compositions, bleaches and fabric conditioning agents. The treatment composition is preferably in the form of particles, for example granules or powders, but may also be in liquid or gel form for use with the pocket wall (composite film) material.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is a bag as described above filled with a particulate detergent composition for fabric washing. The particulate detergent composition in the form of a bag according to the invention has an improved storage stability compared to the corresponding detergent composition in the form of a bag of conventional water-soluble film materials and reduces the ingress of moisture in the atmosphere thereby reducing the stability of moisture sensitive components such as bleach. It maintains excellent and good powder properties.

The detergent composition is an essential ingredient, and at least one subsidiary detergent active compound selected from soap and non-soap anionic detergent active compounds, nonionic detergent active compounds, amphoteric detergent active compounds and zwitter ion detergent active compounds and mixtures of these materials. It contains. Many suitable detergent active compounds are commercially available and are described in detail in this document, for example, "Surface-Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol I and II, Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

Preferred detergent active compounds that can be used are soap and synthetic non-soap anion and nonionic compounds.

Anionic surfactants are well known to those skilled in the art. For example alkylbenzene sulfonates, in particular C ₈ -C ₁₅ linear alkyl benzene sulfonates: primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, in particular C ₁₂ -C ₁₅ primary alcohols sodium sulfate: alkyl ether sulfates: olefin sulfonates: alkal Sulfonate: alkyl crylene sulfonate: dialkyl sulfosuccinate: and fatty acid ester sulfonate.

Nonionic surfactants that can be used include primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially C ₁₂ -C ₁₅ primary and secondary alcohols and alkyl polyglycosides ethoxylated with an average of 3-20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. There is.

The total amount of surfactant contained is generally 5-60% by weight, preferably 5-40% by weight. Detergent compositions suitable for use in most automatic washing machines generally contain anionic surfactants or nonionic surfactants or mixtures of these materials and may optionally contain soap together.

The detergent composition also contains at least one detergency builder with a total amount of 15-80% by weight suitable.

Inorganic builders that may be contained include sodium carbonate, optionally in combination with a crystal seed of calcium carbonate, as described in British Patent 1437 950 (Unilever): British Patent 1473201 (Henkel). Crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicates as such: and crystalline / amorphous aluminosilicate mixtures as described in British Patent No. 1473202 (HenKel). Inorganic phosphate builders such as sodium orthophosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, and the like may also be contained, but such materials are undesirable in terms of environmental protection.

Organic builders that can be used include polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates, acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymers, acrylic phosphinates: monomeric polycarboxylates such as citrate, gluconate, oxy disucci Nates, tartrate monosuccinates and dissuccinates, glycerol mono-, di- and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, carboxymethyloxymalonates, dipicolinerene, hydroxyethyliminodiacetate, nitrilotriacetate, Ethylenediaminetetraacetate, alkyl- and alkenyl malonates and succinates and sulfated fatty acid salts. But that's not all that is listed here.

The detergent composition according to the invention preferably also contains a bleach system. These include peroxy bleach compounds, for example inorganic persulfates or organic peroxy acids, which can be used with active agents to enhance the bleaching action at low washing temperatures.

Other materials that may be included in the detergent composition of the present invention include sodium silicates, fluorescent agents, anti-deposition agents, inorganic salts such as sodium sulfate, enzymes, foam control agents, pigments and flavors. But that's not all that is listed here.

The bulk density of the detergent composition is preferably at least 400 g / I, more preferably at least 400 g / I, particularly preferably at least 700 g / I, for example 750-1000 g / I. The higher the bulk density, the smaller the pouch and therefore the less packaging and storage requirements. The bag is also a particularly convenient way to introduce high bulk density detergent powders into the wash liquor as it avoids the problems of dispensing or dispersion encountered with higher density powders.

EXAMPLE

The invention will now be described in more detail by the following non-limiting examples.

Test method for solubility, dissolution rate and dispersion

A molar of 8 ° C. or 25 ° C. for 5 minutes in a National® W102 tower-loading washing machine in which a standard size (5 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm) bag filled with a standard amount (30 g ± 2 g) of detergent powder was washed with gentle stirring. 6 ° French hardness) into 35 l. The filter paper was then placed in the drain and the washer drained. If no residue is detected visually on the filter paper, the dispersion is almost complete.

In the results below, no residue is indicated by "0", very little residue is indicated by "+" and significant residue is present (or by incomplete dissolution) as "×". Indicated.

Test method for stickiness when wet

The stickiness at the time of wetting was evaluated by an experienced reviewer. Panelists wet their hands in water (6 ° French hardness). The provided test bag was then grabbed and touched for about 15 seconds and then compared to a standard polyethylene bag. The test bag was then numbered with the following stale.

1 = less sticky than polyethylene

2 = almost the same as polyethylene

3 = stickier than polyethylene but does not collapse within 15 minutes

4 = sticky to national road and collapse in 15 minutes

The bag material was tested in four groups and panelists washed their hands between tests.

[Examples 1 and 2]

Four bags of the above-sized sizes filled with a standard amount of detergent powder as described above were obtained from a commercially available cold water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film having a thickness of 30 μm [Cotols Technical Film, Somerset, Bridgewater, UK. TECHNOSOL (trademark) CTF 101, manufactured by Courtneys Technical Films, was manufactured by heat-sealing.

Comparative Example A is a bag of base film only.

Examples 1 and 2 according to the present invention are gravure-printed pouches in two different patterns with nitrocellulose dissolved in acetone on the base film.

Comparative Example B is a pouch in which a base layer is coated with a nitrocellulose continuous layer.

Test results for stickiness upon dissolution and wetting are presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Consequences on the stickiness during dissolution and wetting

The storage stability was also compared between the bag and its contents under severe conditions (20 ° C., 98% relative humidity). The percent weight gain of the bag indicating the amount of moisture absorbed is shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2

Moisture absorption during storage

Films having a 200-line / inch gravure pattern are almost as effective as films having a continuous coating layer in terms of reducing water absorption. It also shows that the film with the gravure pattern of 150 lines / inch is significantly improved compared to the uncoated film.

Claims (17)

A composite packaging film in which a second layer of plastic material is laminated on one or both sides of a continuous base film that is water soluble in water at a desired temperature, wherein the second plastic material is less water soluble and at least partially non-particulate than the base film material. Wherein the composite film is in the form of a discontinuous layer, wherein the composite film can be dispersed without leaving visible residue in the water which is gently stirred at the desired temperature. The composite packaging film of claim 1, wherein the discontinuous layer is effective to prevent stickiness when wet. The composite packaging film of claim 1, wherein the discontinuous layer consists entirely of nonparticulate material. The composite packaging film of claim 1, wherein the discontinuous layer is in the form of a print pattern composed of a plurality of individual elements small enough to be almost invisible to the naked eye. The composite packaging film of claim 1, wherein the discontinuous layer is in the form of a gravure-print pattern. The composite packaging film of claim 1, wherein the discontinuous layer is made of nitrocellulose. The composite packaging film of claim 1, wherein the base film consists of polyvinyl alcohol. The composite packaging film of claim 1, wherein the base film is further laminated with a layer of thermoplastic material to increase heat sealability on the side where the discontinuous layer of the second plastic material is not laminated. The composite packaging film of claim 8, wherein the thermoplastic layer is a discontinuous layer. A method of making a composite packaging film as set forth in claim 1, wherein a second plastic material is applied from the solution to the base film to form at least partially non-particulate discrete layers. The method of claim 10 wherein the second plasma-specific material is applied to the base fill by gravure printing. Laminating a second layer of plastic material on one or both sides of a continuous base film that is water-soluble at least partially at a desired temperature for releasing detergents or compositions other than cleaning or cleaning compositions or articles in an aqueous environment. A packaging product consisting of a composite packaging film in a shaped form, wherein the second plastic material is less water soluble than the base film material and is present in the form of a discontinuous layer that is at least partially non-particulate on the outer surface of the base film. Is a packaged product, characterized in that it can be dispersed without leaving visible residue in the water slightly stirred at the desired temperature. A wash, wash, or laundry treatment product in the form of a bag or bag containing a wash, wash, or laundry treatment composition, wherein the bag, or bag, is at least partially water-soluble in water at a desired temperature, on one or both sides of a continuous base film; Is in the form of a discontinuous layer that is less water soluble than the base film material and at least partially non-particulate on the outer surface of the base film, wherein the composite packaging film is dispersed without leaving visible residue in the lightly stirred water at the desired temperature. Washing, cleaning or laundry processing products, characterized in that the The article of claim 13, wherein the composite film material disintegrates in 40 ° C. in mildly stirred water within 10 minutes and can be dispersed within 30 minutes without leaving visible residue. The article of claim 13, wherein the composite film material disintegrates within 25 minutes in mildly stirred water at 25 ° C. and can be dispersed within 30 minutes without leaving visible residue. The article of claim 13, wherein the composite film material disintegrates within 8 minutes in mildly stirred water at 8 ° C. and can be dispersed within 30 minutes without leaving visible residue. The product of claim 13, wherein the laundry treatment composition is a granular detergent composition having a bulk density of at least 500 g / I.