MXPA02003445A - Water unstable foam compositions. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to foam components comprising polymeric material and an active ingredient, such as detergent ingredients, which are to be delivered to aqueous environment. Highly preferred active ingredients include enzymes. The foam component is stable upon contact with air but dissolves, disintegrates or disperses in water. The invention also relates to compositions containing the foam components and methods for making the foam components.

Description

FOAMS AND COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING THESE FOAMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention describes the foam components comprising polymeric material and an active ingredient, such as detergent ingredients, which are to be administered in an aqueous medium. The invention also discloses compositions containing the foam components and methods for making foam components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Compositions such as cleaning products, personal care products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals often comprise active ingredients that are administered in water or that to become active require being in aqueous conditions, but are sensitive to humidity, changes in temperature, light and / or air during storage. Also, these compositions often contain ingredients that can react with another ingredient. Therefore, said ingredient actives are often protected or separated from one another by coating agents or encapsulating agents. For example, enzymes, used in detergents, are often incompatible with alkaline or acidic materials, bleaches, moisture and light and are therefore coated for ' .Z. ?, HeAt, .. r itSSSLl kl, • - * - - »» "* tfe« h., «I- &protect them Because the active materials generally require to be administered in aqueous conditions, the materials of The coating has to be chosen in such a way that the coating and the active ingredients dissolve or disperse well in water.Many enzymes, for example, are coated with water-soluble coatings such as starch-based materials.Another problem with many solid ingredients, in particular enzymes, is that tend to form dust during handling due to physical forces.This not only creates waste product, but also the dust can cause problems of hygiene and health.Again, the coating of the ingredients can improve this problem to a certain extent. The problem with many coating particles is that they do not always show enough impact resistance during their handling, so even when handling enzyme particles, they do not When dust is formed, it causes health and hygiene problems. A problem with many liquid ingredients is the separation of phase and liquids in solid compositions is the gelling of the product, transfer or "bleeding" of the liquids. The inventors have found an improved method to protect the assets and administer assets in aqueous conditions. They found that when a specific foam component, comprising a polymeric material and the active materials, is used, the effective administration of the assets and the protection of the assets are achieved, not only against air-moisture and chemical reactions but also against physical forces . It was found that the foam component is stable to low air Normal moisture storage conditions, but unstable to water. to administer the assets, in particular the component disintegrates or dissolves in water, to administer the assets. The foam component is useful in any product, particularly useful in cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, cosmetic products and fabric care products. It has been found that the foams are very resistant to impact, consequently there is a reduced abrasion or breakage during handling and likewise reduces the formation of dust. Foam components comprising liquid ingredients result in reduced gelation, transfer or reduced phase separation. In this way, the foam components can be obtained with for example enzymes that are safer and more efficient for handling. Foam components that incorporate liquid ingredients provide a convenient way to handle such liquids without the need for a separate container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention describes a foam component comprising a mixture of a polymeric material and an active ingredient, preferably active in an aqueous environment, the foam component stable on contact with air and unstable on contact with water.

The foam component preferably releases the active ingredient or part thereof upon contact with water, the component preferably partial or completely disintegrated, dispersed, denaturing and / or dissolved upon contact with water. The foam component is preferably a flexible foam component. Preferably the active ingredients are cleaning actives, personal care actives or cosmetics or pharmaceutical actives. The foam component may also contain mixtures of active ingredients, which may be particularly useful for improving the storage of active ingredients that can react with one another. By using the foam component, it can be achieved that said ingredients react alone, or react with each other, once released in the aqueous conditions. The foam component may preferably be in the form of particles that can be incorporated into the compoons; or in the form of a sheet, preferably in such a way that it can form a sheet of foam which in turn can be used as a protective coating for the compoon; or in the form of a solid object such as a tablet, sphere, block or other form that allows easy handling. The invention also describes methods for making the foam component, and compoons comprising the foam component.

The invention also discloses the use of a foam component according to the present invention for administering active ingredients to an aqueous environment, preferably the active ingredients are detergent active ingredients and the aqueous medium is rinse water. The foam component may be such that the release of the active ingredient into the aqueous medium is delayed. The invention also discloses the use of a foam component according to the invention for incorporating enzymes into compoons, preferably detergent compoons.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Foam Component The foam component of the present invention comprises a polymeric material and an active ingredient. The foam component has a binder that is formed of the polymeric material or part thereof, and optionally, other materials. Preferably, the binder is such that it forms an interconnected network of open and / or closed cells, in particular a network of solid struts or plates that form the edges and faces of open and / or closed cells. The space within the cells may contain part of the active ingredient and / or a gas, such as air. The polymer material and the active ingredient can be mixed in a homogeneous manner, in which case a so-called monophasic foam, which can have uniform physical and chemical properties. However, it may be preferred that a multiphasic foam component is obtained, wherein at a micro structure level one or more of the active ingredients is present in minor or greater amounts in one area of the component than in another area of the component, and in this way lower or higher than the average obtained by intimate mixing. "Stable to air" or "stable to contact with air" when employed in the present invention means that the volume of the foam component remains substantially the same when exposed to air. This means in particular that the foam component in the present invention preferably retains 75% to 125% or even 90% to 110% or even 95% to 100% of its volume when stored in a beaker. open (9 cm in diameter, without any protective barrier) in an incubator under controlled ambient conditions (humidity = RH 60%, temperature = 25 ° C) for 24 hours. Preferably the foam component retains 75% to 125% or even 90% to 110% or even 95% to 100% of its volume under the aforementioned storage conditions where the humidity is 80%. The volume change can be measured by any conventional method. In particular, a digital image recording system containing a digital camera coupled to a personal computer equipped with a calibrated image analyzer software is useful. A 1cm3 specimen of foam component is obtained and placed in a glass of v Open precipitation with a diameter of 9 cm and stored for 24 hours under the above-mentioned conditions. After 24 hours, the size in the three dimensions is measured with the image analysis registration system. Each specimen measurement is repeated three times, and the average volume change is calculated in%. Preferably, the foam component is such that, when in the form of particles of a particle size of medium of 2000 microns or less, these foam component particles also retain 75% to 125% or even 90%. % ai 110% or even 95% to 100% of its volume. This, for example, can be measured by placing 20 grams of the foam component particles, or a weight comprising more than 500 particles, in a volumetric beaker having a diameter of 9 cm. The beaker is bled slightly at its base until the particles of the foam component rearrange themselves in a stable position with a horizontal top surface. The volume is measured. The open beaker with the particles of the foam component is carefully placed in the incubator for 24 hours, set at the desired% RH and temperature. The volume after 24 hours is measured and the change in volume is calculated in%. The foam component of the present invention is unstable when placed in contact with water. This occurs in such a way that the active ingredients or part thereof, present in the component of foam are administered to water. Preferably, the foam component or part thereof is denatured, disintegrated, preferably dispersed or dissolved in water. It is preferred that the active ingredient is administered rapidly and that the foam component is such that the polymeric material of the foam component disperses or dissolves rapidly, preferably at least 10% of the polymeric material, by weight, is dissolved or dispersed at 30 ° C. minutes after the foam component comes in contact with the water, more preferably at least 30% or even at least 50% or even at least 70% or even at least 90% (introduced into the water at 1% in concentration weight). It may even be more preferred that this occurs within 20 minutes or even 10 minutes or even 5 minutes after the foam component comes into contact with the water. The solution or dispersion can be measured by the method described in the present invention afterwards to measure the dissolution and dispersion of polymers. Preferably the unstable foam component in water is such that the total volume of the foam component changes, preferably it is reduced, by at least 10%, compared to the initial total volume, for example, it can be determined when 1 cm3 of a component of foam is added to 100 ml of demineralized water and stirred for 5 minutes at a speed of 200 rpm, at a temperature of 25 ° C. Preferably, the change, or preferably the reduction, in the total volume is at least 20% or even at least 40% or even at least 60% or even at least 90% or even about 100%, for example, because it may be preferred that almost all of the foam component disintegrate, disperse or dissolve in the water quickly. This can be measured by the use of any method known in the art, in particular in the present invention with a method as presented below (double dip technique): 1 cm 3 of a foam component is obtained and introduced into a cylinder of 100 ml micro volumetric measurement that is filled with 50 ml ± 0.1 ml of an inert organic solvent. For example, acetone is used when it results that it is not denaturing and / or does not interact with the polymeric material in the foam component, for example when it is PVA. Another neutral organic medium can be used according to the nature of the foam under investigation; the inert solvent is such that the solvent does not dissolve, disperse, substantially disintegrate or denature the foam component. The cylinder is sealed so that no air enters and is allowed to stand for 1 minute for the solvent to penetrate the entire foam specimen.

The change in volume is measured and taken as the original volume V, of the foam specimen. The foam specimen is removed from the solvent and allowed to air dry in such a way that the solvent evaporates. Subsequently the foam specimen is placed in a 250 ml beaker containing 100 ml of demineralized water, kept at 25 ° C, under agitation at 200 rpm with the aid of a magnetic stirrer, for 5 minutes. The rest of the r V component specimen, foam is filtered with a 60mm copper mesh filter and placed in an oven at a temperature and for a period so that the wastewater is completely removed. The dry remaining foam component turns to introduce into the measuring cylinder whose acetone volume has been readjusted to 50 ml. The increase in the total volume is monitored and taken as the final volume of the foam specimen Vf. The decrease in the total volume? V of the foam specimen is: vf Vi The foam component preferably has a density relative f * 0am from around 0.01 to 0.95, with a higher preference of about 0.05 to 0.9 or even about 0.1 to 0.8 or even about 0.3 to 0.7. The relative density is the ratio of the density of the foam component to the sum of the partial densities of the whole volume of materials used to form the foam component, as described below: * _ P foam _ P foam foam? -? XiPi volume Where p is the density, and?, Is the volume fraction of the materials / in the foam components.

Preferably the foam component is a flexible foam component. In particular, this means that the flexible foam component deforms in a reversible manner, absorbing the energy of the impacts or of the forces so that the foam component remains substantially at its original volume after the physical force is able to be applied to the foam. component. In particular, this means that when a foam component sample having a cross section of a specific length, for example 1 cm, is compressed with a static force applied along the axis of that cross section, the static force varies but at least equivalent to twice the atmospheric pressure, the change of this length after removing the force is at least 90% to 110% of the original length. This, for example, can be measured by using Perkin-Elmer DMA 7e equipment. Similarly, the foam component is preferably flexible to such an extent that when a sample of foam component having a cross section of a specific length, for example 1 cm, is compressed with a static force applied along the axis of that cross section, the static force variable but at least equivalent to twice the atmospheric pressure, the change of this length after removing the force is at least 90% to 110% of the original length. For example, this can be measured by using Perkin-Elmer DMA 7e equipment.

Hr.

The flexibility of a foam component can also be reflected by the Young or elastic modulus, which can be calculated from mechanical stress or strain tests as are known in the art, for example by the use of Perkin-Elmer DMA 7e 5 equipment following the experimental procedure of the manufacturer. For example, a 1cm3 foam component can be used in the test with this equipment. In particular, when this equipment is used, these static forces applied along the axis of a cross-section of 1 cm3 of foam component gradually increase until the The deformation of the component, in the direction of the cross section, is 70%. Then, the force is removed and the final deformation of the foam component in the direction of the cross section is measured. Preferably, this length of the cross section after this experiment is preferably 90% to 110% of the original length of the 15 cross section, preferably from 95% to 105% or even from 98% to 100%. The foam component in the present invention preferably has an elastic modulus or Young's modulus of less than 10 GN.m "2, even more preferably less than 1 GN.m" 2, as measured 20 with the team Perkin-Elmer DMA 7e. Preferably, the polymer component has a relative deformation greater than 2%, and preferably greater than 15% or even greater than 50%, as measured with the Perkin-Elmer DMA le equipment. (The deformation is, in this measurement, the limit deformation of a component of foam to which the component is irreversibly deformed). The elastic modulus or Young module is related to the relative density, mainly * * where p * and ps are as described above and E * is the Young's modulus of the foam component, and Is that of the polymeric material. This means that even rigid polymeric materials with a high Es can become relatively flexible foams by modifying their density, in particular by introducing more gas during the foaming process or by the use of additives, as plasticizers at levels adjusted. The foam component preferably comprises at least 1% by weight of the active ingredients, more preferably from 5% to 95%, even more preferably from 10% to 80% or even from 15% to 70%. The foam component preferably comprises at least 1% by weight of polymeric material, more preferably 10% or even 20% or even 25% to 99%, even more preferably from 30% to 90% or even higher preference of 35% to 90% or even 80% by weight.

Matrix The foam component comprises a matrix, formed from or partially formed from at least part of the polymeric material. This means that the matrix can be completely formed of polymeric material, or the matrix can be formed partly of polymeric material and partially of active ingredient or part thereof, or by other additional ingredients. Preferably, the matrix is such that it forms an interconnected network of open and / or closed cells, in particular a network of solid struts or plates forming the edges and faces of the open and / or closed cells. Subsequently, the polymeric material or part thereof, forms at least part of the struts or plates, while the active ingredient and, optionally other materials, can form part of the struts or plates.

Polymeric Material Any polymeric material that can be converted into an air-stable and water-stable foam can be used in the foam component and can also be used to form the matrix or part thereof of the foam component. Preferably, the polymeric material 20 comprises a hydrodispersible polymer or more preferably a water-soluble polymer. The hydrodispersible polymers of the present invention have a dispersion capacity of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% & amp; £ 3 £, - ". or even at least 95%, as measured by the method hereinafter using a glass filter with a maximum pore size of 50 microns; more preferably the polymer of the present invention is a water-soluble polymer having a solubility of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, as measured by the method set forth hereinafter using a filter of glass with a maximum pore size of 20 microns; Mainly: Gravimetric method to determine the water solubility or hydrodispersibility of polymers: 50 grams ± 0.1 grams of polymer are added in a 400 ml beaker, where the weight has been determined, and 245 ml + 1 ml of water is added distilled This is vigorously agitated on a magnetic stirrer set at 600 rpm for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the water-polymer mixture is filtered through a qualitative sintered glass filter folded with the pore sizes as defined above (maximum 20 or 50 microns). Water is removed from the collected filtrate by any conventional method, and the weight of the remaining polymer (which is the dissolved or dispersed fraction) is determined. Subsequently, the% solubility or dispersibility can be calculated. Preferred are polymers which are selected from cationic polymers, such as quaternary polyamines, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides, cellulose, polysaccharides, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyamino acids or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide or derivatives or copolymers thereof . With more preferably the polymer is selected from polyvinyl alcohols, cellulose ethers and derivatives thereof, maleic / acrylic acid copolymers, polysaccharides including starch and gelatin, natural gums such as xanthan gum and carrageenan. The copolymers of block polymers and graft polymers of the above can also be used. Mixtures of polymers can also be used. This can be very beneficial to control the mechanical properties and / or dissolution of the foam component, depending on the application of the same and the required requirements. The polymer can have any average molecular weight, preferably from about 1000 to 1,000,000 or even from 4000 to 250,000 or even from 10,000 to 200,000 or even from 20,000 to 75,000. Preferably, the polymer used in the foam component of the present invention has a secondary function in the composition wherein the foam component is to be incorporated. Thus, for example, are the cleaning products, this is useful when the polymer is a builder polymer, a stain remover polymer, a dye transfer inhibiting polymer, process aid, foam suppressant, dispersant, flocculant, etc. Preferred polymers in cleaning compositions may be homopolymers or copolymers containing monomer units which are selected from alkylene oxide, particularly ethylene oxide, acrylamide, acrylic acid, vinyl alcohol, vinyl pyrrolidone, and ethyleneimine, organic polymeric clay flocculating agents as described in European patents nos. EP-A-299,575 and EP-A-313,146, more preferred polyvinyl pyrrolidones, water-soluble acrylate polyacrylates and copolymers, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, dextrin, ethylcellulose, gelatin, guar gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates, cationic polymers including compounds quaternaries of ethoxylated hexamethylenediamine, bishexamethylenetriamines, or others such as pentaamines, ethoxylated polyethyleneamines, polyamino compounds such as those shown in EP-A-305282, EP-A-305283 and EP-A-351629, terpolymers containing monomer, polymer removes non-staining Cotton as described in U.S. Patent 4,968,451 and U.S. Patent 5,415,807, dispersing / anti-redeposition agent, for use in the present invention, may be the ethoxylated cationic monoamines and diamines, as described in EP-B-011965 and US 4,659,802 and US 4,664,848 .

Active ingredient The active ingredient can be any material to be administered in an aqueous environment and preferably an ingredient that is active in an aqueous environment. For example, when used in cleaning compositions, the foam component may contain any active cleaning ingredients. In particular, this is beneficial for incorporating into the foam component active ingredients that are sensitive to moisture or that they react to contact with moisture, or solid ingredients that have a limited impact strength and tend to form dust during handling. In particular, active ingredients such as enzymes, perfumes, bleaches, bleach activators, fabric softeners, fabric conditioners, surfactants such as liquid nonionic surfactant, conditioners, antibacterial agents, effervescent sources are preferred in the foam components. , brighteners, photo whiteners and mixtures thereof. Preferred are the anionic surfactants, which include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of the anionic sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and sarcosinate surfactant, preferably linear or branched alkylbenzenesulfonate, alkylsulfonates and alkylethylsulfates, isethionates, N-acyltaurates, fatty acid amides of methyltauride, alkylsuccinates and sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccinate monoesters (especially saturated and unsaturated C-? 2-C? 8 monoesters) sulfosuccinate diesters (especially saturated and unsaturated C6-C14 diesters), N-acyl sarcosinates. Also preferred are nonionic surfactants as a nonionic surfactant, preferably selected from the nonionic condensate classes of alkylphenols, nonionic ethoxylated alcohols, nonionic ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty alcohols, nonionic ethoxylate / propoxylate condensates with propylene glycol. , and the products of nonionic ethoxylate condensation with propylene oxide / ethylenediamine adducts. Cationic surfactants and softening agents can also be included as an active ingredient in the foam component of the present invention, for example for quaternary ammonium surfactants and softening agents, and choline ester surfactants. The perfume can also be included as an active ingredient for use in the present invention. Another active ingredient is a perhydrate bleach, such as metal perborates, metal percarbonates, in particular sodium salts. Also the preferred active ingredients are the organic peroxyacid bleach precursor or activator compound, preferred are the alkylpercarboxylic precursor compounds of the imide type include the N-, N, N1N1-tetracyclylated alkylene diamines wherein the alkylene group contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms , particularly those compounds wherein the alkylene group contains 1, 2 and 6 carbon atoms such as tetracetyl ethylenediamine (TAED), sodium 3,5,5-tri-methyl hexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (iso-NOBS), sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), acetoxybenzenesulfonate of sodium (ABS) and pentaacetyl glucose, but also precursors of alkylated peroxyacid of substituted amide. The highly preferred active ingredients for use in the foam component of the present invention are one or more enzymes. The; Preferred enzymes include lipases, cutinases, amylases, neutral and alkaline proteases, cellulases, endolases, esterases, pectinases, lactases and peroxidases incorporated in a conventional manner in detergent compositions and which are commercially available. Suitable enzymes are those mentioned in US patents 3,519,570 and 3,533,139. Commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the tradename Alcalase, Satinase, Primase, Durazym, and Esperase by Novo Industries A / S (Denmark), those sold under the trade name Maxatase, Maxacal and Maxapen by Gist-Brocades, those 10 sold by Genencor Internacional, and those sold under the trade name Opticlean and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes. Preferred amylases include, for example, α-amylases obtained from a special strain of B-licheniform, described in more detail in GB-1, 269,839 (Novo). Preferred commercially available amylases include, for example, those sold under the tradename Rapidase by Gist-Brocades, and those sold under the trade name Termamyl, Duramyl and BAN by Novo Industries A / S. Highly preferred amylase enzymes can be those described in PCT / EUA 9703635, and in WO95 / 26397 and WO96 / 23873. The lipase can be fungal or bacterial in origin obtaining, for example, from a lipase that produces the strain of the species Humicola, thermomyces or Pseudomonas including Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes or Pseudomas fluorescens. The lipase of chemically or genetically modified mutants of these strains is also useful in the present invention. A preferred lipase , "derived from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, which is described in the European patent granted, EP-B-0218272. Another preferred lipase in the present invention is obtained by cloning the gene of Humicola lanuginosa and expressing the gene in Aspergillus oryza as a host, as described in the European patent application, EP-A-0258 068, which is commercially available from Novo Industri A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark, under the trade name Lipolase This lipase is also described in the US patent 4,810,414, Huge-Jensen et al, issued March 7, 1989.

PROCESS FOR FORMING THE FOAM COMPONENT The foam component can be made by any process known in the art for the manufacture of foam components, preferably involving at least one step involving the mixing of the polymeric material with the active ingredient. Preferably the method comprises the steps of: a) obtaining a polymeric material; b) chemically or physically introducing gas into said polymeric material; c) before step b) and / or simultaneously with step b) and / or after step b), add the active ingredient to the polymeric material; : d) optionally adding more ingredients, preferably including a plasticizer and / or with a liquid, preferably water, in one or more of steps a), b) or c); e) optionally one or more of steps b), c) or d) 5 followed by the removal of the liquid or part thereof. The active ingredient can be mixed with the polymeric material before step b) or preferably the active ingredient is added after step b). This process in the present invention is preferably such that in step a) a plasticizer is present in the mixture and Preferably also water. The foam component of the present invention can also be obtained by a process comprising the step of: a) forming a mixture of the polymeric material, the active ingredient and a liquid, preferably water; 15 b) evaporation of the liquid or part thereof to form spaces which are the areas within the matrix cells of the foam component. Step b) is preferably carried out by subjecting the mixture of a) under pressure, preferably under mixing and / or increasing the temperature, and subsequently removing the pressure or part thereof, resulting in the liquid evaporate. For example, an extrusion process can be used. In this way, it is preferred that the mixture of the polymeric material, active ingredient and liquid, preferably water, be introduce into an extruder, where the mixture is mixed and heated, due to mixing or due to the application of heat, preferably in such a way that the mixture or polymeric material therein forms a melt, and subsequently the pressure is lowered exit point where the extruded mixture (to which the desired shape can be given, for example granules) leaves the extruder, where the liquid or part thereof evaporates, or preferably the water evaporates as vapor from the extruded mixture. This results in the formation of cells with spaces, as described above, which may then contain a gas, preferably air, and optionally the active ingredient. These spaces constitute the internal area of the matrix cells of the foam component of the invention. Step b) in the process can also be performed by heating the mixture so that the liquid or part thereof evaporates, resulting in the formation of spaces, as mentioned above. This can be achieved, preferably, by feeding the mixture in a spray dehydration tower, preferably in such a way that the mixture is fed through a spray nozzle that forms droplets of the mixture, and by spray-drying the droplets in a manner conventional, resulting in granules of the foam component. The physical foam and / or chemical foam can be made by any known method, the preferred ones being - physical foam processing by gas injection (dry or aqueous route), high shear agitation (dry or aqueous route), ^^ .íte - * £ & > * - < .- ^. * ^. A ¿^ - * go .A ~ ^ e ^ L.S. Dissolution and relaxation of gas including critical gas diffusion (dry or aqueous route); - chemical foam production by in situ gas formation (by chemical reaction of one or more ingredients, including the formation of CO2 by means of an effervescent system), - steam blowing, curing of UV radiation. As stipulated above, a process is also preferred wherein the mixture of polymeric material, active and liquid is treated in such a way that the liquid or part thereof evaporates, leaving spaces in the mixture that are preferably filled with a gas, resulting in the foam component of the invention. These foaming steps, such as step b or step c in the first method above, but preferably the last steps of the second method, are followed by a drying step or additional drying step to remove the excess liquid, like water, which may be present. In particular, the drying step is carried out after the polymer material is foamed and the active ingredient is added, as a final step in the process. The drying step is carried out and the final foam component is about the same volume after the drying step as before the drying step. Therefore, the drying step is preferably carried out by lyophilization, wherein the solvent, for example water, is removed under vacuum and reduced temperatures. Slow drying in the oven may also be useful at slightly increased temperatures, such as 40-80 ° C or even 40-60 ° C for example 2-40 hours, preferably 10-30 hours. As described in the present invention, it may be useful for the foam component to comprise a plasticizer or a stabilizer or preferably at least one acidic ingredient, which may be the active ingredient, or part thereof, or the polymeric material or part of the same, or an additional acid ingredient, to improve foam formation and stabilization.

EXAMPLE 1: Formation of physical foam Apparatus 100 ml flask graduated microbalance, food processor "Chef" Kenwood that provides a container of whisker and mixed, glass or plastic molds, spatula.

Chemical compounds Poly (vinyl) alcohols (Aldrich chemicals, Ww = 30-70k molecular weight) Glycerol (99% Aldrich chemicals), Citric acid (Aldrich, Citrus acid, Anhydrous USP), distilled water, dry ice (or solid phase CO2) ), thermally insulated box.

Procedure: 1.- Weigh 50 ± 0.2 grams of PVA, 30 ± 0.2 grams of glycerol, 20 ± 0.2 grams of citric acid. 2.- Mix the PVA, glycerol and citric acid using the mixer fixed at low speed (mark 2). 3.- Add 50 ± 1 ml of water gradually to the mixture containing little water, maintaining the mechanical mixture for 2 minutes. A soft gel should be obtained. 4.- Increase the mixing speed to the maximum (mark 8). Add 10-20 ml of water until a PVA foam is forming. Keep the mixture at high shear for 3 minutes. 5. The active ingredients, for example 2-10 grams of enzyme, are progressively added to the foam under mechanical mixing maintained in such a way that a uniform active foam is obtained. 6.- Stop mixing. Spread the PVA foam in molds avoiding any collapse of the structure. 7.- Place the filled molds in a 1/3 thermally insulated box filled with dry ice. Leave to freeze for 5 hours. 8.- Quickly place the frozen samples in a vacuum lyophilizer (for example, Edwards Lyoflex 08) for 24 hours. 9.- Remove the dry sample from the molds. v Any active ingredient can be added in step 5, at any level, usually up to about 50 grams or up to about 500 grams, for example fabric softeners, bleaching species, nonionic surfactants.

EXAMPLE 2 Chemical foam formation Apparatus As described in example 1.

Chemical compounds Poly (vinyl) alcohols (Aldrich chemicals, Ww = 30-70k molecular weight) Glycerol (99% Aldrich chemicals), citric acid (Aldrich, Citric acid, Anhydrous USP), sodium carbonate (Aldrich, Anhydrous), surfactant dodecyl sulfate (Aldrich) distilled water, Petri dish (diameter 90 mm), oven (set at 45 ° C ± 2 ° C).

Procedure: 1.- Weigh 50 ± 0.2 grams of PVA, 30 ± 0.2 grams of glycerol, 20 ± 0.2 grams of citric acid, 20 ± 0.2 grams of sodium carbonate and 20 ± 0.2 grams of dodecyl sulfate. 2. - Mix the PVA, glycerol, citric acid and dodecyl sulfate using the mixer fixed at low speed (mark 2). 3.- Add 50 ± 1 ml of water gradually to the mixture containing little water, maintaining the mechanical mixture for 2 minutes. A soft gel should be obtained. 4.- Add the active ingredient, for example 5 grams of enzyme and sodium carbonate and mix vigorously for 30 seconds until a completely expanded foam is obtained. 5.- Spread the foam in the Petri dish in a uniform thin layer 1cm thick. 6.- Place the petri dish in an oven at 40 ° C for 24 hours. 7.- Remove the dry foam film from the mold. Any active ingredient can be added in step 4, at any level, usually up to about 50 grams, for example fabric softeners, bleaching species, nonionic surfactants. Example 1 was repeated using for example 40% by weight of polcarboxylic acid polymer, 30% by weight of diethylene glycol, 15% by weight of amine oxide and as active ingredient 15% by weight of enzyme, softening clay etc .; and was repeated using 40% by weight of polyocarboxylic acid polymer, 30% by weight of polyethylene glycol, 15% by weight of amine oxide and LAS (1: 1) and as active ingredient 15% by weight of enzyme, softening clay, etc. .

~ "" * • Form of the foam component The foam component can be given any shape, by any conventional method. The preferred one can be that where the foam component is in the form of particles, including pellets and beads, tablets or in the form of a sheet. The particles can be made by any granulation method, for example by grinding larger forms of the foam component, such as the sheets described in the present invention, spray dehydration, extrusion, as also described above. The preferred particles of the foam component have an average particle size of about 10 to 5000 microns, more preferably 50 to 4000 microns or even 2000 microns, even more preferably 100 to 1500 microns or even 200 to 1000 microns. mieras The foam component can also be in the form of a sheet, said shape can be obtained by any method, preferably the sheet is formed in a mold, as described above. When the foam component is in the form of a sheet, the sheet can have any dimension and its size can be reduced as required. Preferably the sheet should have an average thickness of about 0.01 microns to 10 centimeters, more preferably 0.05 microns to 5 centimeters or even more preferably 0.1 microns to 3 centimeters. The foam component can also have any other three-dimensional shape such as a sphere, cylinder, cube or any other geometric shape; or any other form desired for the function of the final product, for example letters to indicate a name or an animal form for a children's product. It is preferred that the foam component has a shape such that, preferably a sheet form, it can be used to encapsulate a product. It is preferred that the foam component forms a sachet structure around the product. For example, the foam component can be processed to encapsulate a cleaning product, fabric care product, personal care product, cosmetic product or pharmaceutical product. Said encapsulation or sachet can, for example, conveniently be made by heat sealing a sheet of the foam component around the product.

Additional ingredients In addition to the active component and polymeric material, the foam component may comprise additional ingredients, for example to reinforce the foam component or make the foam component more flexible, foam stabilizers, more water-soluble or water-dispersible, more stable in storage, or for example to color or whiten the foam component. It may be preferred that the foam component comprises a plasticizer. Preferred plasticizers are selected from glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof. Preferred levels are from 0.05% to 15% or even from 0.2% to 10% or even from 0.3% to 5% by weight of the foam component. Also preferred are coloring agents such as iron oxides and hydroxides, azo dyes, natural dyes, preferably present at levels of 0.001% and 10% or even 0.01% to 5%, or even 0.05% to 1% by weight of the component. Additional highly preferred ingredients include urea and / or inorganic salts. Water may be present in the foam component, but preferably only in a small amount, any excess is removed by dehydration, such as lyophilization as described above. Generally, the water is present at a level of from 0% to 10%, more preferably from 0.2% to 5% or even 0.2% to 3% or even from 0.5% to 2% by weight of the foam component. Also preferred are distribution aids, dissolution aids or disintegration aids. Examples of such auxiliaries are described in EP851025-A and EP466484-A. It should be understood that the polymeric material of the present invention may comprise polymers that also act as distribution aids., dissolving aids or disintegrating aids. It may be preferred that the foam component contains an acidic material and / or an alkaline material and / or a buffering agent, which may be the polymeric material and / or the active ingredient, or an additional ingredient. For example, it may be preferred that the polymeric material comprises an acidic polymer, for example a polycarboxylic acid polymer or that the foam component comprises as an active ingredient an effervescent source comprising an acidic compound and a carbonate source. It has been found that in particular the presence of an acidic material improves the dissolution and / or dispersion of the foam component of the invention upon contact with water, and can also reduce or avoid interactions, resulting in, for example, the precipitation of the polymeric material in the foam component with cationic species present in the aqueous medium. It is preferred that the foam component comprises an acid such as citric acid, acetic acid, crystallized from acetic acid, fumaric acid, hydrochloric acid, malic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, pelargonic acid, lauric acid. The buffering agent that may be present includes boric acid, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, acetic acid, potassium phosphates and the like. Preferred additional ingredients, when not included in the active ingredients of the present invention, include effervescent sources, in particular based on an acid and a carbonate source. Suitable acids include the materials described above; the .. yrl ya: Sií < ? iysy.í .. r.t. A) Yes . The following are suitable carbonate sources include carbonate, bicarbonate, percarbonate salts, in particular sodium salts thereof. The component of the preferred invention comprises additional ingredients that can improve the dissolution properties of the article of the present invention. The preferred additional ingredient that improves dissolution of the article of the present invention preferably comprises; a sulfonated compound such as C 1 -C 4 alkenylsulfonates, C 1 -C 4 arylsulfonates, di isobutylbenzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, cumensulfonate, xylene sulfonate, salts 10 thereof as sodium salts thereof, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof, preferably di-isobutylbenzenesulfonate, sodium toluenesulfonate, sodium cumenesulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, and combinations thereof; and / or a C1-C4 alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol such as iso-propanol and derivatives thereof, and combinations of The same, preferably ethanol and / or pro-espanol; and / or a C4-C10 diol such as hexanediol and / or cyclohexanediol, preferably 1,6-hexanediol and / or 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and / or ingredients that are capable of acting as absorption agents, such as cellulose-based ingredients, especially modified cellulose; and / or numbing agents such as clays, clays Preferred are the smectite clays, especially the diocthedral or trioctraedral smectite clays, the most preferred clays are montmorillonite clay and hectoritic clay, or other types of clay found in bentonite clay formations; and / or a system of effervescence, a The preferred effervescence system comprises an acid source capable of reacting with an alkaline source in the presence of water to produce a gas. The component of the invention preferably comprises additional ingredients that can improve the stability of the active ingredient of the article of the present invention. These additional ingredients are usually able to stabilize the active ingredient of the component of the present invention, this is especially preferred when the active ingredients comprise an active ingredient sensitive to moisture or oxidative, such as one or more enzymes. These additional ingredients can also stabilize the matrix of the component of the present invention, and in this way indirectly stabilize the active ingredient. These stabilizing ingredients are defined as "stabilizing agents" in the present invention. The stabilizing agent is preferably a compound that stabilizes the active ingredient, or matrix, of the moisture and / or oxidative degradation during storage. The stabilizing agent can be, or comprise, a foam matrix stabilizer. The stabilizing agent can be, or comprise, an active ingredient stabilizer, especially an enzyme stabilizer. Stabilizing agents that are able to stabilize the active ingredient indirectly maintain stable the foam matrix of the article, hereinafter "foam stabilizer".

Foam stabilizers preferably comprise a surfactant such as a fatty alcohol, fatty acid, alkanolamide, amine oxide or derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. The foam stabilizer may comprise betaine, sulfobetaine, phosphine oxide, alkylsulfoxide, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. Other preferred foam stabilizers comprise one or more anions or cations such as mono-, di-, tri-valent, or other multivalent metal ions, the preferred salts being sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, aluminum, zinc, copper, nickel , cobalt, iron, manganese and silver, preferably having an anionic counter-ion that is a sulfate, carbonate, oxide, chloride, bromide, acid, phosphate, borate, acetate, citrate and nitrate and combinations thereof. The foam stabilizer may comprise finely divided particles, preferably finely divided particles with an average particle size of less than 10 micrometers, more preferably less than 1 micrometer, even more preferably less than 0.5 micrometers, or less than 0.1 micrometers. The preferred finely divided particles are the aluminosilicates such as zeolite, silica or electrolytes described above in the form of finely divided particles. The foam stabilizer may comprise agar-agar, sodium alginate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, polyethylene oxide, guar gum, polyacrylate, or derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.

The foam stabilizer may be coated which is independent of the matrix of the article of the present invention. The foam stabilizer is usually partially covered, preferably completely covering the article in the present invention or the active ingredient thereof. The cover is usually in contact with, preferably in such a manner to form a layer, the active ingredient before said active ingredient comes into contact with the polymeric material or the plasticizer of the matrix, and is preferably incorporated in the article of the present invention. The cover can usually be in contact with, preferably in such a manner to form a layer, the article of the present invention subsequent to the polymeric material and the plasticizer forming the matrix, and preferably subsequent to the active ingredient which comes into contact with said matrix or incorporating it into the article of the present invention. The preferred shell comprises polymers, polyvinyl alcohols and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycols and derivatives thereof, polyvinylpyrrolidone and derivatives thereof, cellulose ethers and derivatives thereof, and copolymers of these polymers with them are usually selected from polyvinyl alcohols and derivatives thereof same or with other monomers or oligomers. Most preferred are PVP's (and derivatives thereof) and / or PEG's (and derivatives thereof) and most preferably PVA's (and derivatives thereof) or mixtures of PVA's with PEG and / or PVP (or derivatives thereof). the same). These Polymers do not form the matrix of the article of the present invention. For the ? ** T both, these polymers are different from the polymeric materials of the foam matrix. A preferred coating comprises compounds such as glycerol or glycerin, glycol derivatives including ethylene glycol, digomeric polyethylene glycols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol with an average weight M.W. less than 1000, wax and carbocera, ethanolacetamide, ethanolformamide, triethanolamine or acetate thereof, and salts of ethanolamine, sodium thiocyanates, ammonium thiocyanates, polyols such as 1,3-butanediol, sugars, sugar alcohols, ureas, dibutyl or dimethyl phthalate, oxamonoacids, oxadiazines, diglycolic acids and other linear carboxylic acids with at least one ether group distributed along the chain thereof, water or mixtures thereof. These compounds do not form the foam matrix of the article of the present invention. Therefore, these compounds are different from the plasticizer of the foam matrix. Preferred stabilizing agents that are capable of directly stabilizing the active ingredient, especially if said active ingredient comprises one or more enzymes, are defined in the present invention as "active stabilizers" or "enzyme stabilizers". Usually, the active stabilizers interact directly with, and stabilize, the active ingredient. In general, active stabilizers for use in the present invention preferably comprise a surfactant. The Suitable surfactants for use in the present invention are those described hereinafter as suitable surfactants for use as matrix stabilizers. In addition to these surfactants, other surfactants suitable for use in the present invention may comprise surfactants such as sodium alkylene sulfonates, sodium alkoxysulfonates, preferred alkoxysulfonates are those comprising from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in any conformation, preferably linear , and having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 7, preferably from 2 to 5. Other preferred active stabilizers comprise boric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, and salts thereof. These acid salts preferably comprise counter-ions such as calcium and / or sodium. Preferred active stabilizers include cations such as calcium and / or sodium. Preferably calcium chloride and / or sodium chloride. Other preferred stabilizers of active include small chains of peptides with an average of 3 to 20, preferably from 3 to 10 amino acids, which interact with and stabilize the active ingredient, especially enzyme (s). Other active stabilizers comprise small nucleic acid molecules, typically comprising from 3 to 300, preferably from 10 to 100 nucleotides. In general, the nucleic acid molecules are deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid. Nucleic acid molecules can be present in the form of a complex with other molecules such as proteins, or they can form a complex with the active ingredient of the article of the present invention, especially enzyme (s). Suitable active stabilizers for use in the present invention, especially when the article of the present invention comprises a bleach, comprise antioxidants and / or reducing agents such as thiosulfate, methionine, urea, thiourea dioxide, guanidine hydrochloride, carbonate guanidine, guanidine sulfamate, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, amino acids such as glycine, sodium glutamate, proteins such as casein and bovine serum albumin, tert-butylhydroxytoluene, 4-4, butylidenebis (6-tert-butyl-3-methyl- phenol), 2,2'-butylidenebis (6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), (monosterelated cresol, cysteine, phenol monosilane, phenol monosilane, phenol mono-diene, 1, 1-bis (4-hydroxy-phenyl) -cyclohexane, or derivatives of the same or a combination thereof Other active stabilizers may comprise a reversible inhibitor of the active ingredient Without wishing to be limited by theory, a reversible inhibitor of the active ingredient is believed to This method, especially if the active ingredient comprises one or more enzymes, can complex with, and improve the stability of, said active ingredient, and in this way, stabilizes the active ingredient during storage. When the active ingredient is released, usually in a liquid environment, the reversible inhibitor is separated from the active ingredient and the active ingredient is then able to perform the desired action for which it was designed or the action that it was determined to perform.

The active stabilizers suitable for use in the present invention may comprise sugars. Typical sugars for use in the present invention include those which are selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, fructose, raffinose, trehalose, lactose, maltose, derivatives thereof and combinations thereof. The active stabilizer may also comprise sugar alcohol such as sorbitol, mannitol, nositol, derivatives thereof and combinations thereof. It may be preferred that the active stabilizer be in the form of a cover or barrier that at least partially covers the article of the present invention or the active ingredient thereof, preferably covering in its entirety the article of the present invention or the ingredient active thereof, especially an enzyme.

Compositions comprising the foam component The foam component can be incorporated in any composition that requires the active ingredients to be protected against moisture during storage, against chemical reactions with other ingredients, transfer or phase separation of ingredients, or protection against physical forces In particular, the foam component is useful in cleaning compositions, fabric care compositions, personal care compositions, cosmetic compositions, pharmaceutical compositions. These compositions can be solid or liquid. They may comprise any additional ingredient, including additional amounts of the active ingredients or polymeric material described above. Preferred are laundry detergent and laundry detergent compositions and fabric conditioners and other rinse aids. Cleaning compositions usually contain one or more components that are selected from surfactants, effervescence sources, bleach catalysts, chelating agents, bleach stabilizers, alkalinity systems, builders, phosphate-containing builders, compounds organic polymers, enzymes, suds suppressors, lime soap, dispersants, antiredeposition agents and soil suspension, soil release agents, perfumes, dyes, color spots, brighteners, photo-bleaching agents and additional corrosion inhibitors. For laundry detergent compositions and fabric care compositions it is preferable that the component comprises at least one or more softening agents, such as quaternary ammonium compounds and / or softening clays, and preferably an additional agent such as an anti-crease aid, perfumes, chelators , fabric integrity polymers.

In personal care products, it is highly preferable to include cationic organic compounds, such as cationic surfactants. It is preferable that the compositions comprise one or more other ingredients that can reduce dermatitis or compounds that can help the skin to recover its texture, metal-containing compounds, in particular compounds containing zinc, vitamins and cortisone, and also compounds for softening the skin such as petrolatum, glycerin, triethylene glycol, lanolin, paraffin, and another group of polymers that pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturers use with great frequency are also described in the present invention. The pharmaceutical compositions, cosmetic compositions and personal care compositions can have any shape and can serve any purpose. Preferred are pharmaceutical tablets and powders, cosmetic, pharmaceutical or personal care compositions which will be applied or inserted into the body and which, for example, will be administered to the body at a controlled level. The foam component can also be incorporated into absorbent articles, for example, to release the active ingredients of the foam component to the skin to which the absorbent articles are applied, when it comes into contact with water, such as body fluids, for example. example diapers, wipes, feminine pads, substance release patches, bandages.

It may be preferred that the foam component comprises the composition as a whole. This is especially true when the composition is in a liquid form.

Claims (22)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A foam component comprising a mixture of a polymeric material and an active ingredient, preferably an active in an aqueous environment, the stable foam component at the time of contact with air and unstable at the time of contact with water.

2. The foam component according to claim 1, further characterized in that it releases the active ingredient or part thereof at the time of contact with water, preferably the component disintegrates, disperses, denatures and dissolves totally or partially at the time of contact with water. contact with water.

3. The flexible foam component according to any of the preceding claims having an elastic modulus of less than 10GN.m "2, preferably less than 1GN.m" 2.

4. The foam component according to any of claims 1 to 3 that can be obtained by a processing comprising the step of: a) obtaining a polymeric material; b) chemically or physically introducing gas into said polymeric material; c) before step b) and / or simultaneously with step b) and / or after step b), add the active ingredient to the polymeric material; d) optionally one or more of steps b), c) or c) of another ingredient, preferably including a plasticizer t and / or water; e) and optionally, one or more of steps a) to d) followed by the removal of the water.

5. The flexible foam component according to claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising a binder formed of the polymeric material or partially formed of the polymeric material, which contains cells, the component can be obtained by a process comprising the steps of a) forming a mixture of the polymeric material, the active material and a liquid, preferably water; b) evaporation of the liquid or part thereof to form spaces in the matrix which constitutes the internal area of the cells of the matrix, step b) is preferably carried out by subjecting the mixture of a) under pressure, preferably under the increase of temperature, and subsequently reducing the pressure resulting in the liquid or part of it evaporating; and / or step b) is preferably performed by heating the mixture resulting in the liquid or part thereof evaporating.

6. The foam component according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that the polymeric material comprises a water-soluble polymer and / or a water-dispersible polymer.

7. The foam component according to any of the preceding claims further characterized because it has a relative density of 0.05 to 0.9.

8. - The foam component according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that the active ingredient is a cleaning product ingredient, fabric care ingredient, pharmaceutical ingredient, cosmetic ingredient, personal care ingredient.

9. The foam component according to claim 7, further characterized in that the active ingredient is selected from moisture sensitive ingredients and / or liquid ingredients, preferably selected from enzymes, perfumes, surfactants, brighteners, bleaches, bleach activators, fabric softeners, fabric conditioners, antibacterial agents, effervescence systems and mixtures thereof.

10. The foam component according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that the active ingredient comprises an acidic compound and / or the polymeric material comprises an acidic polymer and / or an additional acidic agent is present in the foam component.

11. The foam component according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that the polymeric material comprises a water-soluble polymer selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polysaccharides, polycarboxylic acids, cellulose, modified cellulose, gums and derivatives of said polymers, and mixtures of said polymers.

12. - The foam component according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that it comprises a plasticizer, preferably selected from glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol.

13. The foam component according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that it is present in the form of a particle having an average particle size of 50 to 4000 microns, preferably 100 to 1500 microns.

14. The foam component according to any of claims 1 to 11, further characterized in that it is present in the form of a sheet, preferably having a mean thickness of 0.05 microns to 10 centimeters, preferably 0.1 microns. 5 centimeters

15. The foam component according to any of claims 1 to 11, further characterized in that it is present in the form of a three-dimensional shape such as a sphere, cube, cylinder.

16. A cleaning composition, fabric care composition, cosmetic composition, personal care composition or pharmaceutical composition comprising a foam component according to any of claims 1 to 14. 17.- A detergent composition, cosmetic composition , personal care composition or pharmaceutical composition comprising a foam component according to any of the *, * * -, claims 1 to 14 in the form of an encapsulation, the foam preferably in the form of sheet in accordance with claim 14. 18. An absorbent article comprising a foam component of any of claims 1 to 14. 19. A process for the manufacture of foam components according to any of claims 1 to 3, or 6 to 14 comprising the steps of a) obtaining a polymeric material; b) chemically or physically introducing gas into said polymeric material; c) before step b) and / or simultaneously with step b) and / or after step b), add the active ingredient to the polymeric material; d) optionally one or more of steps b), c) or c) of another ingredient, preferably including a plasticizer and / or water; and optionally, one or more of steps a) to d) followed by removal of the water. 20. A process for the production of a flexible foam component according to any of claims 1 to 3 or 6 to 14 comprising the step of a) forming a mixture of the polymeric material, the active material and a liquid, preferably water; b) evaporation of the liquid or part thereof to form spaces in the matrix which constitutes the internal area of the cells of the matrix, step b) is preferably carried out by subjecting the mixture of a) under pressure, preferably under the increase of temperature, and subsequently reducing the pressure resulting in the liquid or part of it evaporating; I the step b) is preferably performed by heating the mixture resulting in the liquid or part thereof evaporating. 21. The use of a foam component as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein they are administered 5 active ingredients in an aqueous environment, preferably the active ingredients are detergent active ingredients and the aqueous environment is water > of rinsing. 22. The use of a foam component as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein 10 active ingredients are administered, preferably enzymes, perfumes, surfactants, brighteners, bleaches, bleach activators, fabric softeners, fabric conditioners, antibacterial agents, effervescence systems, and mixtures thereof, in cleaning compositions, fabric care compositions, personal care compositions, cosmetic compositions or pharmaceutical compositions.