WO2006037512A1 - Package for a water-soluble capsule - Google Patents

Package for a water-soluble capsule Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006037512A1
WO2006037512A1 PCT/EP2005/010399 EP2005010399W WO2006037512A1 WO 2006037512 A1 WO2006037512 A1 WO 2006037512A1 EP 2005010399 W EP2005010399 W EP 2005010399W WO 2006037512 A1 WO2006037512 A1 WO 2006037512A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
package
weakness
zone
water
walls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2005/010399
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kevin Alan Roberts
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Hindustan Lever Ltd
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hindustan Lever Ltd, Unilever NV filed Critical Hindustan Lever Ltd
Publication of WO2006037512A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006037512A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5805—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/40—Packages formed by enclosing successive articles, or increments of material, in webs, e.g. folded or tubular webs, or by subdividing tubes filled with liquid, semi-liquid, or plastic materials
    • B65D75/44—Individual packages cut from webs or tubes
    • B65D75/46—Individual packages cut from webs or tubes containing articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a package or container for one or more water-soluble capsules containing a laundry or machine dishwashing composition.
  • the invention provides one or more water- soluble capsules containing a detergent composition in combination with a flexible package comprising a. a front wall b. a rear wall, c. two end seals interconnecting and sealing respective opposed end regions of the front wall and rear wall which together define a chamber for containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, the package incorporating a zone of weakness for opening the package, said zone of weakness being located within one end seal.
  • the invention provides one or more water-soluble capsules containing a detergent composition in combination with a flexible package comprising a. a dual-walled chamber with opposing flexible walls b. said flexible walls being are interconnected by respective seals at respective opposed end regions of the two walls, c. the chamber containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, and d. the package incorporates a zone of weakness located within one end seal.
  • the invention provides a method of opening a package according to the first invention, wherein the method comprises the step of separately grasping the front wall and the rear wall followed by the step of pulling the walls away from each other so as to tear open the one end seal and tearing along the zone of weakness.
  • the integrity of the bag is not compromised by the weakness, and the water soluble film material of the packaged capsules is protected from increased levels of ambient humidity during storage which could otherwise lead to premature dissolution of the film and as a result the capsule may rupture and release it contents.
  • Package integrity is necessary during the pre-purchase/use period during which the package may be handled, transported etc.
  • the zone of weakness assists opening reducing the force required.
  • a package which has requires excessive force can actually be damaged during opening, or even worse the contents can be spilt, so that capsules could be thrown, dropped out of the package and rupture on landing.
  • the seals are effected by heating the regions to be sealed.
  • the zone of weakness may comprise a series e.g. line of perforations.
  • Each of the perforations is preferably less than 1 mm in length and may be 0.5 mm in length.
  • the gap between each perforation is preferably less than lmm in length and may be 0.5 mm in length.
  • the perforations may be made by e.g. a blade or laser.
  • Each perforation may be a small hole or slot.
  • the package is a non-peelable, flexible material such as polyethylene, polypropylene and may be an oriented materials, laminates, coextrusions etc.
  • the package may be of thickness 25-100 ⁇ m.
  • the package is aged for at least 24 hours and more preferably at least 1 week before opening, even more preferably at least 2 weeks before opening and further preferably 4 weeks before opening. Without being bound by theory it is thought that ageing allows recrystalisation of the seal occurs making it more brittle, allowing easier opening. Thus the package is stored without
  • the package may be manufactured by vertical form fill and seal techniques.
  • the package material preferably has a Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sealed package containing a round-shaped water-soluble capsule of liquid detergent according to the invention.
  • a flexible plastic bag 1 which contains one or more water soluble capsules (not shown) of laundry detergent liquid.
  • the flexible bag has two flexible rectangular walls, a front wall (not shown) and a rear wall 2 which are joined together along respective end portions by heat seals 4,6.
  • the co- joined walls define a dual walled chamber for containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, and the package incorporates a zone of weakness 8 for opening the package.
  • the zone 8 of is located within one end seal 4.
  • the seals 4,6 are effected by heating the regions to be sealed.
  • the zone of weakness 8 comprises a series i.e. a line of perforations.
  • Each of the perforations is 0.5 mm in length.
  • the gap between each perforation is 0.5 mm in length.
  • the perforations are made by e.g. a blade and each perforation comprises a small hole or slot.
  • the package is a non-peelable, flexible material, in this case polyethylene, and has a thickness 25-100 ⁇ m.
  • the package is made by vertical form fill and seal techniques and therefore includes a longitudinal seal 10.
  • the perforations are made following sealing.
  • the package is then aged for at least 24 hours and more preferably at least 1 week before opening can take place, even more preferably at least 2 weeks before opening and further preferably 4 weeks before opening. Without being bound by theory it is thought that aging allows recrystalisation of the seal occurs making it more brittle, allowing easier opening.
  • the package is stored for a predetermined period as above, e.g. in a storage area e.g. warehouse, before being offered for sale to prevent premature opening and allow aging.
  • the package material preferably has a Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate
  • the package is opened by separately grasping the front wall and the rear wall followed by the step of pulling the walls away from each other so as to tear open the one end seal and tearing along the zone of weakness.
  • the integrity of the bag is not compromised by the weakness, and the water soluble film material of the packaged capsules is protected from increased levels of ambient humidity during storage which could otherwise lead to premature dissolution of the film and as a result the capsule may rupture and release it contents.
  • Package integrity is necessary during the pre-purchase/use period during which the package may be handled, transported etc.
  • the zone of weakness assists opening reducing the force required.
  • a package which has requires excessive force can actually be damaged during opening, or even worse the contents can be spilt, so that capsules could be thrown, dropped out of the package and rupture on landing.
  • the detergent liquid contained in the water soluble capsules exemplified here comprises:

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

One or more water-soluble capsules containing a detergent composition in combination with a flexible package comprising: a. front wall b. a rear wall (2), c. two end seals (4,6) interconnecting and sealing respective opposed end regions of the front wall and rear wall which together define a chamber for containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, the package incorporating a zone of weakness (8) for opening the package, said zone of weakness being located within one end seal.

Description

PACKAGE FOR A WATER-SOLUBLE CAPSULE
The present invention relates to a package or container for one or more water-soluble capsules containing a laundry or machine dishwashing composition.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a improved package for containing water-soluble capsules of detergent.
In one aspect the invention provides one or more water- soluble capsules containing a detergent composition in combination with a flexible package comprising a. a front wall b. a rear wall, c. two end seals interconnecting and sealing respective opposed end regions of the front wall and rear wall which together define a chamber for containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, the package incorporating a zone of weakness for opening the package, said zone of weakness being located within one end seal.
In a further aspect the invention provides one or more water-soluble capsules containing a detergent composition in combination with a flexible package comprising a. a dual-walled chamber with opposing flexible walls b. said flexible walls being are interconnected by respective seals at respective opposed end regions of the two walls, c. the chamber containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, and d. the package incorporates a zone of weakness located within one end seal.
In a further aspect the invention provides a method of opening a package according to the first invention, wherein the method comprises the step of separately grasping the front wall and the rear wall followed by the step of pulling the walls away from each other so as to tear open the one end seal and tearing along the zone of weakness.
By incorporating the zone of weakness within the seal region, the integrity of the bag is not compromised by the weakness, and the water soluble film material of the packaged capsules is protected from increased levels of ambient humidity during storage which could otherwise lead to premature dissolution of the film and as a result the capsule may rupture and release it contents. Package integrity is necessary during the pre-purchase/use period during which the package may be handled, transported etc. However, at the same time, when the pack does need to be opened, excessive force is not required to open the package, because the zone of weakness assists opening reducing the force required. A package which has requires excessive force can actually be damaged during opening, or even worse the contents can be spilt, so that capsules could be thrown, dropped out of the package and rupture on landing.
Protection of capsules from ambient humidity is important because premature dissolution of a single capsule (by exposure to increased levels of ambient humidity) could have a knock on effect whereby the fluid released dissolves some or all or other capsules.
Protection of capsules from ambient humidity during storage, means that they are drier on use. If the water soluble capsule material becomes damp, it may then increase the possibility of in-wash lodging as a tacky film is more likely to stick to the washing machine door before it has chance to be caught up in the main wash.
Preferably the seals are effected by heating the regions to be sealed.
The zone of weakness may comprise a series e.g. line of perforations. Each of the perforations is preferably less than 1 mm in length and may be 0.5 mm in length. The gap between each perforation is preferably less than lmm in length and may be 0.5 mm in length. The perforations may be made by e.g. a blade or laser. Each perforation may be a small hole or slot.
Preferably the package is a non-peelable, flexible material such as polyethylene, polypropylene and may be an oriented materials, laminates, coextrusions etc.
The package may be of thickness 25-100μm.
Preferably the package is aged for at least 24 hours and more preferably at least 1 week before opening, even more preferably at least 2 weeks before opening and further preferably 4 weeks before opening. Without being bound by theory it is thought that ageing allows recrystalisation of the seal occurs making it more brittle, allowing easier opening. Thus the package is stored without
Preferably, there are one or more longitudinal seals within one of the walls, e.g. the rear wall and/or the front wall. The package may be manufactured by vertical form fill and seal techniques.
To protect the capsules from ambient humidity, the package material preferably has a Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate
(M.V.T.R) of between 0.25 g/m2/day to 20 g/m2/day at 38 0C
2 and 90% relative humidity, and preferably between 5 g/m /day to 15 g/m2/day at 38 0C and 90% relative humidity.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sealed package containing a round-shaped water-soluble capsule of liquid detergent according to the invention.
Referring to the drawing, one combination of the invention is shown, comprising a flexible plastic bag 1 which contains one or more water soluble capsules (not shown) of laundry detergent liquid. _ C _
The flexible bag has two flexible rectangular walls, a front wall (not shown) and a rear wall 2 which are joined together along respective end portions by heat seals 4,6. The co- joined walls define a dual walled chamber for containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, and the package incorporates a zone of weakness 8 for opening the package. The zone 8 of is located within one end seal 4.
The seals 4,6 are effected by heating the regions to be sealed.
The zone of weakness 8 comprises a series i.e. a line of perforations. Each of the perforations is 0.5 mm in length. The gap between each perforation is 0.5 mm in length. The perforations are made by e.g. a blade and each perforation comprises a small hole or slot.
The package is a non-peelable, flexible material, in this case polyethylene, and has a thickness 25-100μm.
The package is made by vertical form fill and seal techniques and therefore includes a longitudinal seal 10. The perforations are made following sealing. The package is then aged for at least 24 hours and more preferably at least 1 week before opening can take place, even more preferably at least 2 weeks before opening and further preferably 4 weeks before opening. Without being bound by theory it is thought that aging allows recrystalisation of the seal occurs making it more brittle, allowing easier opening. Thus the package is stored for a predetermined period as above, e.g. in a storage area e.g. warehouse, before being offered for sale to prevent premature opening and allow aging.
To protect the capsules from ambient humidity, the package material preferably has a Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate
(M.V.T.R) of between 0.25 g/m2/day to 20 g/m2/day at 38 0C
2 and 90% relative humidity, and preferably between 5 g/m /day to 15 g/m2/day at 38 0C and 90% relative humidity.
The package is opened by separately grasping the front wall and the rear wall followed by the step of pulling the walls away from each other so as to tear open the one end seal and tearing along the zone of weakness.
By incorporating the zone of weakness within the seal region, the integrity of the bag is not compromised by the weakness, and the water soluble film material of the packaged capsules is protected from increased levels of ambient humidity during storage which could otherwise lead to premature dissolution of the film and as a result the capsule may rupture and release it contents. Package integrity is necessary during the pre-purchase/use period during which the package may be handled, transported etc. However, at the same time, when the pack does need to be opened, excessive force is not required to open the package, because the zone of weakness assists opening reducing the force required. A package which has requires excessive force can actually be damaged during opening, or even worse the contents can be spilt, so that capsules could be thrown, dropped out of the package and rupture on landing. The detergent liquid contained in the water soluble capsules exemplified here comprises:
Figure imgf000009_0001
It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. One or more water-soluble capsules containing a detergent composition in combination with a flexible package comprising: a. front wall b. a rear wall, c. two end seals interconnecting and sealing respective opposed end regions of the front wall and rear wall which together define a chamber for containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, the package incorporating a zone of weakness for opening the package, said zone of weakness being located within one end seal.
2. One or more water-soluble capsules containing a detergent composition in combination with a flexible package comprising: a. a dual-walled chamber with opposing flexible walls b. said flexible walls being are interconnected by respective seals at respective opposed end regions of the two walls, c. the chamber containing the one or more water-soluble capsules, and d. the package incorporates a zone of weakness located within one end seal.
3. The combination according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the zone of weakness comprise a series of perforations.
4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein each of the perforations is preferably less than 1 mm.
5. The combination according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the gap between each perforation is less than lmm in length.
6. The combination of any preceding claim wherein the package is a non-peelable, flexible material such as polyethylene, polypropylene.
7. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein the package includes one or more longitudinal seals within one of the walls, e.g. the rear wall and/or the front wall.
8. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein the package material preferably has a Moisture
2
Vapour Transfer Rate (M.V.T.R) of between 0.25 g/m /day to 20 g/m2/day at 38 0C and 90% relative humidity, and
2 2 preferably between 5 g/m /day to 15 g/m /day at 38 °C and 90% relative humidity.
9. A method of opening a package according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the step of separately grasping the front wall and the rear wall followed by the step of pulling the walls away from each other so as to tear open the one end seal and tearing along the zone of weakness.
10. A method of making a package according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the package is aged for at least 24 hours.
PCT/EP2005/010399 2004-10-07 2005-09-22 Package for a water-soluble capsule Ceased WO2006037512A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0422197A GB0422197D0 (en) 2004-10-07 2004-10-07 Package for a water soluble capsule
GB0422197.4 2004-10-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006037512A1 true WO2006037512A1 (en) 2006-04-13

Family

ID=33428173

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2005/010399 Ceased WO2006037512A1 (en) 2004-10-07 2005-09-22 Package for a water-soluble capsule

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0422197D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2006037512A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012040145A1 (en) * 2010-09-20 2012-03-29 The Procter & Gamble Company Flexible bag containing unit dose articles

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3388836A (en) * 1966-11-10 1968-06-18 Otto Shaker-type dispensing package
GB2150908A (en) * 1983-12-07 1985-07-10 Davies & Company Limited Allen Securing items for display
US4787517A (en) * 1981-04-06 1988-11-29 Martin Andrew Mcg Easily opened and reclosable bag with tear-guiding ridges
US4919272A (en) * 1984-12-03 1990-04-24 Asahi Chemical Polyflex Easily openable tightly sealed bag
DE20008953U1 (en) * 2000-05-18 2000-09-07 Thiele, Matthias, 01309 Dresden Pouch packaging
EP1321377A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2003-06-25 Unilever Plc Package for a water-soluble capsule

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3388836A (en) * 1966-11-10 1968-06-18 Otto Shaker-type dispensing package
US4787517A (en) * 1981-04-06 1988-11-29 Martin Andrew Mcg Easily opened and reclosable bag with tear-guiding ridges
GB2150908A (en) * 1983-12-07 1985-07-10 Davies & Company Limited Allen Securing items for display
US4919272A (en) * 1984-12-03 1990-04-24 Asahi Chemical Polyflex Easily openable tightly sealed bag
DE20008953U1 (en) * 2000-05-18 2000-09-07 Thiele, Matthias, 01309 Dresden Pouch packaging
EP1321377A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2003-06-25 Unilever Plc Package for a water-soluble capsule

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012040145A1 (en) * 2010-09-20 2012-03-29 The Procter & Gamble Company Flexible bag containing unit dose articles

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Publication number Publication date
GB0422197D0 (en) 2004-11-03

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