SOLUBLE SACHETS

SACHETS SOLUBLES

English Abstract

The invention provides a package which comprises a hazardous chemical
dissolved or dispersed in a liquid or gel contained in a water soluble or water dispersible
laminated film.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A package which comprises a bag containing an agrochemical said
agrochemical being dissolved or dispersed in a liquid or gel, said bag being made
of a film comprised of plural laminated water soluble or water dispersible layers,
said plural laminated layers completely enclosing said agrochemical contained in
said bag.
2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the agrochemical is
dissolved or dispersed in a liquid.
3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the agrochemical is
dissolved or dispersed in a gel.
4. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
laminated film has a thickness of from 10 to 250 microns.
5. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
laminated film has a thickness of from 15 to 80 microns.
6. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, which has
a content of agrochemical of from 0.2 to 12 liters.
7. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, which has
a content of agrochemical of from 0.45 to 6 liters.
8. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
water soluble or water dispersible laminated film is insoluble in the liquid or gel
used to dissolve or disperse the agrochemical.


6

9. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein at
least one of the layers of the film is selected from polyethylene oxide, methyl
cellulose or partially or fully alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
10. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein at
least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of the same material.
11. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein at
least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of a different material.
12. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
laminated film consists essentially of two layers.
13. The package according to claim 12, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.1 to 10.
14. The package according to claim 12, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.5 to 2.
15. The package according to any one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the
gel has a viscosity above 500 and up to 50,000 centipoise.
16. The package according to any one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the
gel has a viscosity of 1,000 to 12,000 centipoise.
17. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
bag is made by laminating two or more layers together by pressure, heating,
crosslinking, fusion or by means of water to obtain the laminated film.
18. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
bag package is filled with the liquid or gel to at least 60% of capacity.
19. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
bag package is filled with the liquid or gel to at least 70% of capacity.





7

20. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
bag package is filled with the liquid or gel to at least 80 to 99% of capacity.
21. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
bag package is filled with the liquid or gel to at least 85 to 95% of capacity.
22. The package according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid or gel to about 95% capacity.
23. The package which comprises a bag containing an agrochemical
dissolved or dispersed in a liquid, said bag being made of a film comprised of
plural laminated water soluble or water dispersible layers, said plural laminated
layers completely enclosing said agrochemical contained in said bag.
24. The package according to claim 23 wherein the agrochemical is a
pesticide or a plant protection agent or a plant growth regulator.
25. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
laminated film has a thickness of from 10 to 250 microns.
26. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
laminated film has a thickness of from 15 to 80 microns.
27. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, which has
a content of agrochemical of from 0.2 to 12 liters.
28. The package according to claim 27, which has a content of
agrochemical from 0.45 to 6 liters.
29. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
water soluble or water dispersible laminated film is insoluble in the liquid or gel
used to dissolve or disperse the agrochemical.


8

30. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein at
least one of the layers of the film is selected from polyethylene oxide, methyl
cellulose or partially or fully alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
31. The package according to claim 30, wherein the said at least one
layer is 40-99% alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
32. The package according to claim 30, wherein the said at least one
layer is 70-92% alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
33. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein at
least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of the same material.
34. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein at
least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of a different material.
35. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
laminated film consists essentially of two layers.
36. The package according to claim 35, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.1 to 10.
37. The package according to claim 35, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.5 to 2.
38. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
bag is made by laminating two or more layers together by pressure, heating,
crosslinking, fusion or by means of water to obtain the laminated film.
39. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to at least 60% of capacity.
40. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to at least 70% of capacity.









41. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to at least 80 to 99% of capacity.
42. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to at least 85 to 95% capacity.
43. The package according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to about 95% capacity.
44. The package which comprises a bag containing an agrochemical
dissolved or dispersed in a gel, said bag being made of a film comprised of plural
laminated water soluble or water dispersible layers, said plural laminated layers
completely enclosing said agrochemical contained in said bag.
45. The package according to claim 44 wherein the agrochemical is a
pesticide or a plant protection agent or a plant growth regulator.
46. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
laminated film has a thickness of from 10 to 250 microns.
47. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
laminated film has a thickness of from 15 to 80 microns.
48. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, which has
a content of agrochemical of from 0.2 to 12 liters.
49. The package according to claim 48, which has a content of
agrochemical of from 0.45 to 6 liters.
50. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
water soluble or water dispersible laminated film is insoluble in the gel used to
dissolve or disperse the agrochemical.



51. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein at
least one of the layers of the film is selected from polyethylene oxide, methyl
cellulose or partially or fully alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
52. The package according to claim 51, wherein the said at least one
layer is 40-99% alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
53. The package according to claim 51, wherein the said at least one
layer is 70-92% alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
54. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein at
least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of the same material.
55. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein at
least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of a different material.
56. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
laminated film consists essentially of two layers.
57. The package according claim 56, wherein the ratio of the thickness
of the two layers is from 0.1 to 10.
58. The package according to claim 56, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.5 to 2.
59. The package according to either of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
gel has a viscosity above 500 and up to 50,000 centipoise.
60. The package according to either of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
gel has a viscosity of 1,000 to 12,000 centipoise.
61. The package according to either of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
gel has a phase difference phi between the controlled shear stress and the
resulting shear strain such that tg(phi) is less than or equal to 1.5.


11


62. The package according to either of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
gel has a phase difference phi between the controlled shear stress and the
resulting shear strain such that tg(phi) is less than or equal to 1.2.
63. The package according to either of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
gel has a spontaneity less than 75.
64. The package according to either of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
gel has a spontaneity less than 25.
65. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
bag is made by laminating two or more layers together by pressure, heating,
crosslinking, fusion or by means of water of obtain the laminated film.
66. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
package is filled with the gel to at least 60% of capacity.
67. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
package is filled with the gel to at least 70% of capacity.
68. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
package is filled with the gel to at least 80 to 99% of capacity.
69. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
package is filled with the gel to at least 85 to 95% of capacity.
70. The package according to any one of claims 44 or 45, wherein the
package is filled with the gel to about 95% capacity.
71. The package which comprises a bag containing an agrochemical
said agrochemical being dissolved or dispersed in a liquid or gel, said bag being
made of a film comprised of plural water soluble or water dispersible layers, said


12

plural laminated layers being in contact with each other, said plural contacting
layers completely enclosing said agrochemical contained in said bag.
72. The package according to claim 71, wherein the agrochemical is
dissolved or dispersed in a liquid.
73. The package according to claim 71, wherein the agrochemical is
dissolved or dispersed in a gel.
74. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the laminated film has a thickness of from 10 to 250 microns.
75. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the laminated film has a thickness of from 15 to 80 microns.
76. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, which
has a content of agrochemical of from 0.2 to 12 liters.
77. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, which
has a content of agrochemical of from 0.45 to 6 liters.
78. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the water soluble or water dispersible laminated film is insoluble in the liquid or
gel used to dissolve or disperse the agrochemical.
79. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
at least one of the layers of the film is selected from polyethylene oxide, methyl
cellulose or partially or fully alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
80. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
at least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of the same material.
81. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
at least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of a different material.


13
82. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the laminated film consists essentially of two layers.
83. The package according to claim 82, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.1 to 10.
84. The package according to claim 82, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.5 to 2.
85. The package according to any one of claims 71 or 73, wherein the
gel has a viscosity above 500 and up to 50,000 centipoise.
86. The package according to any one of claims 71 or 73, wherein the
gel has a viscosity of 1,000 to 12,000 centipoise.
87. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the bag is made by laminating two or more layers together by pressure, heating,
crosslinking, fusion or by means of water to obtain the laminated film.
88. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the package is filled with the liquid or gel to at least 60% of capacity.
89. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the package is filled with the liquid or gel to at least 70% of capacity.
90. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the package is filled with the liquid or gel to at least 80 to 99% of capacity.
91. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the package is filled with the liquid or gel to at least 85 to 95% of capacity.
92. The package according to any one of claims 71, 72 or 73, wherein
the package is filled with the liquid or gel to about 95% capacity.


l4

93. The package which comprises a bag containing an agrochemical
dissolved or dispersed in a liquid, said bag being made of a film comprised of
plural water soluble or water dispersible layers, said plural layers being in contact
with each other, said plural contacting layers completely enclosing said
agrochemical contained in said bag.
94. The package according to claim 93, wherein the agrochemical is
a pesticide or a plant protection agent or a plant growth regulator.
95. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
laminated film has a thickness of from 10 to 250 microns.
96. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
laminated film has a thickness of from 15 to 80 microns.
97. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, which has
a content of agrochemical of from 0.2 to 12 liters.
98. The package according to claim 97, which has a content of
agrochemical from 0.45 to 6 liters.
99. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
water soluble or water dispersible laminated film is insoluble in the liquid or gel
used to dissolve or disperse the agrochemical.
100. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein at
least one of the layers of the film is selected from polyethylene oxide, methyl
cellulose or partially or fully alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
101. The package according to claim 100, wherein the said at least one
layer is 40-99% alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.



102. The package according to claim 100, wherein the said at least one
layer is 70-92% alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
103. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein at
least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of the same material.
104. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein at
least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of a different material.
105. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
laminated film consists essentially of two layers.
106. The package according to claim 105, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.1 to 10.
107. The package according to claim 105, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.5 to 2.
108. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
bag is made by laminating two or more layers together by pressure, heating,
crosslinking, fusion or by means of water to obtain the laminated film.
109. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to at least 60% of capacity.
110. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to at least 70% of capacity.
111. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to at least 80 to 99% of capacity.
112. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to at least 85 to 95% of capacity.


16

113. The package according to any one of claims 93 or 94, wherein the
package is filled with the liquid to about 95% capacity.
114. The package which comprises a bag containing an agrochemical
dissolved or dispersed in a gel, said bag being made of a film comprised of plural
water soluble or water dispersible layers, said plural layers being in contact with
each other, said plural contacting layers completely enclosing said agrochemical
contained in-said bag.
115. The package according to claim 114, wherein the agrochemical is
a pesticide or a plant protection agent or a plant growth regulator.
116. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein-
the laminated film has a thickness of from 10 to 250 microns.
117. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the laminated film has a thickness of from 15 to 80 microns.
118. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, which has
a content of agrochemical of from 0.2 to 12 liters.
119. The package according to claim 118, which has a content of
agrochemical of from 0.45 to 6 liters.
120. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the water soluble or water dispersible laminated film is insoluble in the liquid or
gel used to dissolve or disperse the agrochemical.
121. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
at least one of the layers of the film is selected from polyethylene oxide, methyl
cellulose or partially or fully alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.


17

122. The package according to claim 121, wherein the said at least one
layer is 40-99% alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
123. The package according to claim 121, wherein the said at least one
layer is 70-92% alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
124. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
at least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of the same material.
125. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
at least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of a different material.
126. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the laminated film consists essentially of two layers.
127. The package according to claim 126, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.1 to 10.
128. The package according to claim 126, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the two layers is from 0.5 to 2.
129. The package according to either of claims 114 or 115, wherein the
gel has a viscosity above 500 and up to 50,000 centipoise.
130. The package according to either of claims 114 or 115, wherein the
gel has a viscosity of 1,000 to 12,000 centipoise.
131. The package according to either of claims 114 or 115, wherein the
gel has a phase difference phi between the controlled shear stress and the
resulting shear strain such that tg(phi) is less than or equal to 1.5.
132. The package according to either of claims 114 or 115, wherein the
gel has a phase difference phi between the controlled shear stress and the
resulting shear strain such that tg(phi) is less than or equal to 1.2.


18
133. The package according to either of claims 114 or 115, wherein the
gel has a spontaneity less than 75.
134. The package according to either of claims 114 or 115, wherein the
gel has a spontaneity less than 25.
135. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the bag is made by laminating two or more layers together by pressure, heating,
crosslinking, fusion or by means of water to obtain the laminated film.
136. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the package is filled with the gel to at least 60% of capacity.
137. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the package is filled with the gel to at least 70% of capacity.
138. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the package is filled with the gel to at least 80 to 99% of capacity.
139. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the package is filled with the gel to at least 85 to 95% of capacity.
140. The package according to any one of claims 114 or 115, wherein
the package is filled with the gel to about 95% capacity.
141. A package which comprises a bag containing a hazardous chemical,
said hazardous chemical being dissolved or dispersed in a liquid or gel in said bag,
said bag being made of a laminated film comprising more than one water soluble
or water dispersible layers, said film completely enclosing said hazardous chemical
contained in said bag.
142. The package according to claim 141, wherein the hazardous
chemical is a pesticide.


19
143. The package according to claim 141, wherein the hazardous
chemical is dissolved or dispersed in a liquid.
144. The package according to claim 141, wherein the hazardous
chemical is dissolved or dispersed in a gel.
145. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, wherein
the laminated film has a thickness of from 10 to 250 microns.
146. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, wherein
the laminated film has a thickness of from 15 to 80 microns.
147. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, which has
a content of hazardous chemical of from 0.2 to 12 liters.
148. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, which has
a content of hazardous chemical of from 0.45 to 6 liters.
149. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 143, wherein
the water soluble or water dispersible laminated film is insoluble in the liquid used
to dissolve or disperse the hazardous chemical.
150. The package according to any one of claims 141, 142 or 144,
wherein the water soluble or water dispersible laminated film is insoluble in the
gel used to dissolve or disperse the hazardous chemical.
151. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, wherein
at least one of the layers of the film is selected from polyethylene oxide, methyl
cellulose or partially or fully alcoholized or hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate.
152. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, wherein
at least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of the same material.




153. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, wherein
at least two of the layers of the laminated film are made of a different material.
154. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, wherein
the laminated film consists essentially of two layers.
155. The package according to claim 154, wherein the ratio of the
thicknesses of the two layers is from 0.1 to 10.
156. The package according to claim 154, wherein the ratio of the
thicknesses of the two layers IS from 0.5 to 2.
157. The package according to any one of claims 141, 142 or 144,
wherein the gel has a viscosity above 500 and up to 50,000 centipoise
158. The package according to any one of claims 141, 142 or 144,
wherein the gel has a viscosity of 1000 to 12,000 centipoise.
159. The package according to any one of claims 141 to 144, wherein
the bag is made by laminating two or more layers together by pressure, heating,
crosslinking, fusion or by means of water to obtain the laminated film.
160. The package according to any one of claims 141 or 142, wherein
the package is filled with the liquid or gel to about 95% capacity.

Description

PH90016Gl
20~il313
-
SOLUBLE SACHETS
This invention relates to a package comprising a liquid chemical or chernical
dissolved or dispersed in a liquid or gel which is contained in an envelope of water soluble or
water dispersible material.
At present, most hazardous liquids are stored in metal drums or, where smaller
quantities are required, plastic containers.
Hazardous compounds, especially agrochernical coml)oullds, are formulated in
a variety of ways. It is however especially desirable for farmers to handle such compounds
when they are in liquid form. This facilitates the spreading of such compounds. There are
however difficulties and drawbacks in handling liquids. The liquids can be spilt on the ground
or may leak due to holes in the containers. The containers may also rupture when subjected to
a physical shock.
It is thus difficult to devise a containing system which is suitable for farmers,
and safe for all those handling the containers, and also safe for the environment.
It is known that agrochemicals may be contained in soluble bags or sachets
made from films. However, such films may crack and break and thus cause spillage of the
agrochemicals they contain. In fact, there are a variety of defects which may be present in
films, which lead to weaknesses of the film and consequently a potential source of leakage.
The presence of air bubbles, of dust particles or other foreign bodies, of gel particles or of thin
points on or in the film are all potential weak points. If a film with such a weak point is
subjected to a lot of handling or physical shock, the film may fail at that point. This is
especially a problem in the agrochemical industry where containers may be subjected to
rough or unsafe handling by distributors or farmers.
The weaknesses of films mentioned above are present to a greater or lesser
extent in certain types of films, depending upon their method of manufacture. When films are
made by casting, there may be fewer pinholes, but there are more often tiny pieces of gel
inclusions. When films are made by extrusion, there are more pinholes.
The present invention seeks to provide a new container system for
agrochemicals which is safe to handle.
The invention further seeks to provide a new container system for
agrochemicals which is convenient for endusers, e.g. farmers, to handle.
The invention further seeks to provide a new container system for
agrochemicals which reduces the risks of pollution and environmental damage.
In one aspect, the invention seeks to avoid leakage of liquid or dissolved
chemicals through the pinholes of a film container system. Although pinholes are generally
rare, even the presence of one pinhole in many thousands of containers is enough to cause
damage, since the liquid in the container passes through the pinhole and cont~minates the
surrounding environment.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
description which follows.
The container system of the invention is characterised in that a hazardous
material in a liquid or gel form is contained in a water soluble or water dispersible bag made
of a laminated film.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the hazardous compounds are
agrochemicals, e.g. pesticides or plant protection agents or plant growth regulators.
The present invention accordingly provides a package which comprises a
hazardous chemical dissolved or dispersed in a liquid or gel contained in a water soluble or
water dispersible l~min~tçd film.




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-


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More particularly, the package of the invention comprises a bagcontaining a hazardous chemical or agrochemical which chemical is dissolved or
dispersed in a liquid or a gel. The bag is made of a film Com~ sillg a plurality of
laminated water soluble or water dispersible layers with the plural layers completely
S enclosing the chemical contained in the bag.
In this specification the term l~min~ted film means a film which has
been made from two or more originally separated layers which are joined together.
The layers may be joined together in the laminate by known methods. For
example, the layers or the laminate may be joined by pressure, heating, crosslinking,
10 fusion, adhesion or any combination thereof. Adhesion of the layers may be
obtained through the use of a separate adhesive, or, when appropriate, water.
When suitable water soluble or water dispersible layers are used, a
particularly convenient way to obtain a laminated film is by adhesion of the separate
layers, either using adhesive PVA (generally of low molecular weight) and/or more
15 simply by means of water.




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20~1313




Because two or more layers are used to produce the laminated film,
the chance of pinholes occurring in the film is reduced to almost nil. This is
because it is unlikely that two pinholes in separate layers will overlap. Furthermore,
5 the tensile strength of a multi (e.g. two) layer film is better than the tensile strength
of a similar film of the same thickness which is made of a single layer.
The laminated films which are used in the invention generally have a
thickness of from 10 to 250 microns, preferably from 15 to 80 microns. The
individual layers constituting the laminated films which are used in the invention are
10 generally each half of these figures. When two layers are used, the ratio of
thickness of the two layers is generally from 0.1 to 10, preferably from 0.5 to 2.
Bags or sachets made of laminated films according to the invention generally have
a content of from 0.2 to 12 litres, preferably from 0.45 to 6 litres.
The materials which may be used in the invention are water soluble
15 or water dispersible materials which are insoluble in organic solvents used to
dissolve or disperse the chemicals they are used to contain. Suitable materials
include polyethylene oxide or methyl cellulose, but preferably the material
comprises or is derived from polyvinyl alcohol, i.e. partially or fully alcoholized or
hydrolysed for example 40-99%, preferably 70-92% alcoholized or hydrolysed
20 polyvinyl acetate films.

The layers of the laminated films of the invention may be made of the
same material or of different materials. Films made from layers of different
materials may have advantageous properties. For example, an inner layer of a
package may be made more resistant to the agrochemical it contains. In addition,
sg/rn

20~1313 3

the outer layer of the bag can be selected to have one or more of the following
properties:
i. to dissolve more quickly (compared to an inner layer or a single
5 layer package) in water,
ii. to have improved mechanical proprieties including improved
resistance to mechanical damage,
iii. to have improved machinability,
iv. to have less susceptibility to relative humidity,
v. to have resistance to freezing and/or high temperatures.
One or more of the layers of the l~min~ted film may contain a
plasticiser. A suitable plasticiser content in the inner layer may improve the sealing
properties of the film, and make the film less likely to stretch. The film will thus
be easier to process on machinery and to seal around the hazardous liquid. A
15 suitable plasticiser content in the outside layer of the container makes the outer
surface more flexible and thus more resistant to physical damage from low
temperature or shock and movement.
The layers of the laminated film may be made using different
techniques, e.g. extrusion or casting. A l~min~te made from layers produced by
20 different methods may have advantageous properties including greater flexibility,
increased strength and increased resistance to stretching. The increased strength




t ' 1 sg/rn

20~1 313
3a
and/or resistance to stretching may be in one direction in the film. The laminated
films for use in the present invention are used to produce packages which avoid the
time-consuming and hazardous consequences of prior art packages which leak in the
5 filling process or during subsequent handling due to film defects.
As already said, the bags (or containerization system) may contain
either liquids or gels. A preferred feature of the invention is the bags or
containerization system of the invention containing a gel.
According to a particular feature of the invention, the gels are chosen
10 in such a way that one or more of the following features are present:
* the resulting gels form a continuous system and/or
* the resulting gels have a viscosity of 500 to 50,000 centipoises,
more preferably of 1000 to 12000 centipoises (these viscosities are Brookfield
viscosities measured at room temperature with a viscosimeter in form of a flat plate
15 rotating at 20 round per minute)
* the gel has a phase difference phi between the controlled shear
stress and the resulting shear strain such that tg(phi) is less than or equal to 1.5,
preferably less than or equal to 1.2. Tg(phi) is the tangent of the angle phi (or
phase difference). The measurement of phi is made at room temperature by means
20 of a rheometer having a flat fixed plate and a rotating cone above this plate such
as the angle between them is less than 10, preferably 4. The cone is caused to
rotate by means of a controlled speed motor; the rotation is a sinusoidal one, i.e.,
the torque and the angular displacement change as a sine function with time. This
angular displacement corresponds to the hereabove mentioned sheclr straill; th~



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3b
torque of the controlled speed motor (which causes the angular displacement)
corresponds to the hereabove mentioned controlled shear stress
* the gels preferably have a density greater than 1, preferably
greater than 1.1 specific gravity
* the gels have a spontaneity (as hereafter defined) less than 75,
preferably less than 25.
The spontaneity is assessed according to the following method: A
ule of 1 ml gel with 99 ml water are put into a 150 ml glass tube (diameter 22
10 mm) which is stoppered and inverted through 180C (upside down) at room
temperature. The number of times required to completely disperse the gel is called
the spontaneity.
By the wording continuous system, it is meant a material which is
visually homogeneous, that is to say which has the visual appearance to have only
15 one physical phase; this does not exclude the possibility to have small solid particles
dispersed therein, provided these particles are small enough not to constitute a
visible separate physical phase.
It is known that a gel is generally a colloid in which the dispersed
phase has combined with the continuous phase to produce a viscous, jelly-like
20 product; it is also a dispersed system consisting typically of a high molecular weight
compound or aggregate of small particles in very close association with a liquid.
In order to make a bag, the film needs to be shaped (possibly partially
sealed) and then filled with the gel. Generally the gels are able to flow, even if it
is a slow rate due to the high viscosity. A container which is used to contain the



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gels cannot be easily emptied due to this high gel viscosity (that a reason why the
gels are not used up to now in the agriculture). When filled, the bag has to be
finally sealed, generally heat sealed, to be closed.
The following Example is given by way of illustration and should not
be understood to restrict the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
A film in a roll form is constructed from two thinner films by
l~min~tion: both films are made from a 88% hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol (cold
water soluble), each 25 microns thickness; one has a 17% plasticiser content, the
other has 15% plasticiser content. The two films are laminated together with heat
(100C) and pressure to form one film of 50 microns thickness.
This film is then used to produce 1 litre sachets containing a solvent
based liquid herbicide (mixture of ioxynil and bromoxynil esters) by using "form-and-
fill" methods. The herbicide is a solution in a C10 aromatic hydrocarbons mixture
as solvent.
The film is placed on the machine so that the high plasticiser layer is
produced on the outside of the sachets. The film is thus easy to process.
No leak is observed during the manufacture, handling, and transporting
of 500 sachets.
EXAMPLE 2
A gel is made by stirring at 50C a mixture of:
Active ingredient: 2,4-D phenoxy benzoic acid isooctyl ester): 64.~%
Solvent: aromatic solvent with ~lash point of 65C: 24.2%

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3d
-Surfactant: a mixture of
a non ionic/sulfonate blended emulsifier 4%
and calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate 1%
S Gelling agent: mixture of dioctylsulfosuccinate salt and sodium benzoate: 6%
The mixture is stirred and shaken until each component is dissolved
or dispersed.
During stirring, a dissolution appears, and thereafter a gellation.
Gellation is increased during the cooling at room temperature (20C).
The Brookfield viscosity of the gel is 3000 centipoises. The emulsion
stability is good in the above described test.




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The em-llciQrl stability is good in the above described test.
1100 g of this gel are put in a 1 liter bag made of a film of PVA similar to thef~m of e r ~ C 1. The bag, which is almost full (about 95 % vlv), is heat sealed. The density
both of the gel and of the bag conl~ining the gel is 1.1.
The bag is then dlop~d 10 times from 1.2 m upon the ground. No breaking or
leakage is observed.
- Another bag made in the same way as the previous one is tested for pinhole
~IOh~l;o~ A necdle (~ w-t~. 0.6 mm) is passed through the bag. It is observed a small
droplet which forms at the locus where the needle passed, but this droplet was small enough
not to drop from the bag and not to flow along the bag.