Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CM4497ML-JC 1
USE OF A WATER-SOLUBLE UNIT DOSE ARTICLE TO IMPROVE THE CONSUMER
DETERGENT DOSING EXPERIENCE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the use of water-soluble unit dose article to
improve the
consumer detergent dosing experience.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water-soluble detergent unit dose articles are preferred by consumers as they
are a
convenient, efficient and clean way of dosing detergent during the wash
process. The water-soluble
unit dose form means that the consumer does not need to measure the dose
themselves nor do they
suffer from accidental spillage of the detergent which some consumers find
messy and inconvenient.
However, such water-soluble unit dose articles can suffer from premature
rupture during
handling. In such instances, as the consumer transfers the water-soluble unit
dose article from the
storage receptacle to an automatic washing machine, preferably to the drum of
an automatic washing
machine the water-soluble film could tear, or rip, resulting in premature
release of the contents onto
the hand of the consumer. This negatively affects the dosing experience as the
consumer will find
the operation 'messy' and inconvenient.
Furthermore, such premature rupture could occur in the storage receptacle,
such as a bag or
tub, during transport. This again results in a messy and inconvenient
dosing/handling experience for
the consumer due to the unit dose articles being contaminated with detergent
composition from the
ruptured article.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to improve the consumer detergent dosing
experience.
It was surprisingly found that the use of a water-soluble unit dose article
according to the present
invention overcame this technical problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses the use of a unit dose article comprising at
least a first water-
soluble film, a second water-soluble film and a detergent composition. wherein
the first water-
soluble film and the second water-soluble film arc chemically different to one
another, in order to
improve the consumer detergent dosing experience: wherein the first water
soluble film has a first
elongation modulus, the second water soluble film has a second elongation
modulus. the first
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elongation modulus is greater than the second elongation modulus, and the
difference between the
first elongation modulus and the second elongation modulus is from a 0.5 MPa
to 10 MPa.
BRIEF DESCRITPION OF THE DRAWINGS
The figures herein are illustrative in nature and are not intended to be
limiting.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the basic configuration of the unit
dose article
strength test and seal failure test.
FIG. 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of a pouch.
FIG. 3 shows a multi-compartment pouch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The Use
The present invention is to the use of a unit dose article comprising at least
a first water-
soluble film, a second water-soluble film and a detergent composition, wherein
the first water-
soluble film and the second water-soluble film are chemically different to one
another, in order to
improve the consumer detergent dosing experience.
The unit dose article, the first water-soluble film, the second water-soluble
film and the
detergent composition are described in more detail below.
Preferably, the consumer detergent dosing experience comprises the consumer
transferring at
least one water-soluble unit dose article from a storage receptacle to an
automatic washing machine,
preferably to the drum of an automatic washing machine. Alternatively, the
water-soluble unit dose
article may be added to the drawer of an automatic washing machine.
The water-soluble unit dose article may be added to the washing machine by
hand. The
water-soluble unit dose article may be added to the drum by hand.
Alternatively it may be dispensed
from a storage receptacle into the washing machine, preferably the drum. Those
skilled in the art
will be aware of relevant storage receptacles.
Those skilled in the art will be aware of suitable automatic washing machines.
Those skilled
in the art will also be aware that automatic washing machines comprise a drum
and a drawer and will
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be able to locate said drum or drawer and add both the fabrics and the water-
soluble unit dose article
thereto accordingly.
Those skilled in the art will be aware of relevant storage receptacles.
Preferably, the storage
receptacle is a flexible, preferably resealable, bag, a rigid, preferably
recloseable, tub or a mixture
thereof, preferably, wherein the storage receptacle comprises a child
resistant closure. Those skilled
in the art will be aware of suitable child resistant closures.
Preferably, the improved consumer dosing experience comprises reduced
instances of
premature rupture of the water-soluble unit dose articles in the hand of the
consumer whilst
transferring them from the storage receptacle to the drum.
Without wishing to be bound by theory it was surprisingly found that the use
of the specific
unit dose article according to the present invention improved the consumer
dosing experience. Such
unit dose articles made from the specific choice of two water-soluble films
exhibited reduced
instances of premature rupture during or just prior to dosing so providing a
less messy and more
convenient dosing experience.
Water-soluble unit dose article
The unit dose article according to the present invention comprises at least a
first water-
soluble film, a second water-soluble film and a detergent composition, wherein
the first water-
soluble film and the second water-soluble film are chemically different to one
another.
The water-soluble unit dose article comprises the first water-soluble film and
the second
water-soluble film shaped such that the unit-dose article comprises at least
one internal compartment
surrounded by the water-soluble films. The water-soluble films are sealed to
one another such to
define the internal compartment and such that that the detergent composition
does not leak out of the
compartment during storage. However, upon addition of the water-soluble unit
dose article to water.
the water-soluble film dissolves and releases the contents of the internal
compartment into the wash
liquor.
A preferred method of making a unit dose article is described in more detail
below.
The compartment should be understood as meaning a closed internal space within
the unit
dose article, which holds the detergent composition. During manufacture, the
first water-soluble film
according to the present invention may be shaped to comprise an open
compartment into which the
detergent composition is added. The second water-soluble film according to the
present invention is
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then laid over the first film in such an orientation as to close the opening
of the compartment. The
first and second films are then sealed together along a seal region.
The unit dose article may comprise more than one compartment, even at least
two
compartments, or even at least three compartments. The compartments may be
arranged in
superposed orientation. i.e. one positioned on top of the other. In such an
orientation the unit dose
article will comprise three films, top, middle and bottom. Preferably, the
middle film will
correspond to the second water-soluble film according to the present invention
and top and bottom
films will correspond to the first water-soluble film according to the present
invention. Alternatively.
the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e. one
orientated next to the
other. The compartments may even be orientated in a 'tyre and rim'
arrangement, i.e. a first
compartment is positioned next to a second compartment, but the first
compartment at least partially
surrounds the second compartment, but does not completely enclose the second
compartment.
Alternatively one compartment may be completely enclosed within another
compartment. In such a
multicompartment orientation, the first water-soluble film according to the
present invention may be
shaped to comprise an open compartment into which the detergent composition is
added. The
second water-soluble film according to the present invention is then laid over
the first film in such an
orientation as to close the opening of the compartment.
Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the
compartments
may be smaller than the other compartment. Wherein the unit dose article
comprises at least three
compartments, two of the compartments may be smaller than the third
compartment, and preferably
the smaller compartments are superposed on the larger compartment. The
superposed compartments
preferably are orientated side-by-side.
In a multi-compartment orientation, the detergent composition according to the
present
invention may be comprised in at least one of the compartments. It may for
example be comprised
in just one compartment. or may be comprised in two compartments, or even in
three compartments.
Each compartment may comprise the same or different compositions. The
different
compositions could all be in the same form, or they may be in different forms.
The water-soluble unit dose article may comprise at least two internal
compartments,
wherein the liquid laundry detergent composition is comprised in at least one
of the compartments.
preferably wherein the unit dose article comprises at least three
compartments. wherein the detergent
composition is comprised in at least one of the compartments.
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First and second water-soluble films
The water-soluble unit dose article comprises a first water-soluble film and a
second water-
soluble film and the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble
film are chemically
different to one another.
For the avoidance of doubt, in the context of the present invention
'chemically different'
herein means where the 'virgin films', i.e. films received from the
supplier/manufacture and prior to
unwinding on a unit dose article making unit, having at least one substance
present in at least one of
the film compositions that differentiates the first from the second film
composition and impacts at
least the water capacity, per the test method described herein, rendering this
at least one physical
film property different between the first and second films. Varying chemical
compositions of films
due to natural making processes i.e. batch to batch variations are as such not
considered chemically
different films within the scope of this invention.
Non limiting examples of chemically differentiating substances include use of
different
polymer target resins and or content, different plasticizer composition and or
content or different
surfactant and or content. Water soluble unit dose articles comprising films
solely differing in
physical properties but having the same substance content such as films solely
differing in film
thickness are considered outside the scope of this invention. Unit dose
articles made from films
being solely differentiated through the presence versus the absence of a
coating layer are also
considered outside the scope of the invention.
The first water soluble film has a first elongation modulus, the second water
soluble film has
a second elongation modulus. the first elongation modulus is greater than the
second elongation
modulus, and the difference between the first elongation modulus and the
second elongation
modulus is from a 0.5 MPa to 10 MPa, preferably from 1 MPa to 8 MPa, more
preferably from 2
MPa to 7 MPa.
By 'difference' we herein mean the difference in the value of the first
elongation modulus
and the value of the second elongation modulus. By 'elongation modulus. we
herein mean the
ability of the film to be elongated when a stress is applied. The method for
measuring elongation
modulus is described in more detail below.
Preferably. the first elongation modulus is from 1 MPa to 20 MPa, more
preferably from
3MPa to 20 MPa.
Preferably. the second elongation modulus is from 1 MPa to 15 MPa. more
preferably from 3
MPa to 15MPa.
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Preferably, the first water-soluble film has a first tensile strain at break,
the second water-
soluble film has a second tensile strain at break, wherein the first tensile
strain at break is greater
than the second tensile strain at break. By 'difference in tensile strain at
break' we herein mean the
difference in the value of the first tensile strain at break and the second
tensile strain at break. The
method to determine tensile strain at break is described in more detail below.
Preferably, the difference between the first tensile strain at break and the
second tensile strain
at break is from 10% to 1000%, preferably from 100 A to 750%, more preferably
from 200% to
500%. By 'difference in tensile strain at break' we herein mean the difference
in the value of the
first tensile strain at break and the second tensile strain at break.
Preferably, the first tensile strain at break is from 300% to 1600 c1/0, more
preferably from
400% to 1200%, most preferably from 700% to 1200%.
Preferably, the second tensile strain at break is from 300% to 1200%, more
preferably from
500% to 1000%.
Preferably, the first water-soluble film is thermoformed during manufacture of
the unit dose
article. By 'thermoforming' we herein mean that the film is heated prior to
deformation, i.e. by
passing the film under an infrared lamp, the deformation step preferably being
enabled by laying the
water soluble film over a cavity and applying vacuum or an under pressure
inside the cavity under
the film. The second water-soluble film may be thermoformed during manufacture
of the unit dose
article. Alternatively the second water-soluble film may not be thermoformed
during manufacture of
the unit dose article. Preferably, the first water-soluble film is
thermoformed during manufacture of
the unit dose article and the second water-soluble film is not thermoformed
during manufacture of
the unit dose article.
The first water-soluble film, the second water-soluble film or a mixture
thereof
independently may have a thickness before incorporation into the unit dose
article of between 40
microns and 100 microns, preferably between 60 microns and 90 microns, more
preferably between
70 microns and 80 microns.
Preferably the difference in thickness before incorporation into the unit dose
article between
the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film is less than
50%. preferably less than
30%. more preferably less than 20%, even more preferably less than 10%. or the
thicknesses may be
equal.
The first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film according to
the invention are
preferably single layer films, more preferably manufactured via solution
casting.
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Preferably, the first water-soluble film has a first water capacity and the
second water-soluble
film has a second water capacity wherein the first water capacity is less than
the second water
capacity and wherein the difference between the water capacity of the first
water soluble film and the
second water-soluble film is between 0.01% and 1%, preferably from 0.03% to
0.5%, more
preferably from 0.05% to 0.3%. By 'difference' we herein mean the difference
in the value of the
first water capacity and the value of the second water capacity. By 'water
capacity' we herein mean
the capacity of the film to absorb water over a fixed period of time at a
particular relative humidity,
measured as a mass increase of the film being tested. The method for measuring
water capacity is
described in more detail below.
Preferably, the first water-soluble film has a water capacity from 1% to 10%,
more preferably
from 2% to 8%, most preferably from 3 % to 6 % and the second water-soluble
film has a water
capacity from 1.5% to 12%, preferably from 2.5% to 10%, more preferably from
3.5% to 8%.
Preferably, the first water soluble film comprises a first water soluble resin
and the second
water soluble film comprises a second water soluble resin. Preferably, the
first water soluble resin
comprises at least one polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer or at least one
polyvinylalcohol copolymer or
a blend thereof and the second water soluble resin comprises at least one
polyvinyl alcohol
homopolymer or at least one polyvinylalcohol copolymer or a blend thereof.
The first water soluble resin may comprise a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol
homopolymer and
a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising an anionic monomer unit, preferably
wherein the blend
comprises from 0% to 70% by weight of the first water soluble resin of the
polyvinyl alcohol
copolymer comprising an anionic monomer unit and from 30% to about 100% by
weight of the first
water soluble resin of the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, more preferably
wherein the blend
comprises from 10% to 70%, even more preferably from 15% to less than 65%,
even more
preferably from 20% to 50%, most preferably from 30% to 40% of the polyvinyl
alcohol copolymer
comprising an anionic monomer unit and from 30% to 90%, or greater than 35% to
85%, or from
50% to 80%. or from 60 wt% to 70 wt% by weight of the first water soluble
resin of the polyvinyl
alcohol homopolymer. based on the total weight of the first water soluble
resin. The polyvinyl
alcohol copolymer can be present at a concentration which, together with the
concentration of the
polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. sums to 100%.
Polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer means polyvinyl alcohol comprising polyvinyl
alcohol units
and optionally but preferably polyvinylacctate units. Polyvinyl alcohol
copolymer means a polymer
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comprising polyvinyl alcohol units, optionally but prefereably polyvinyl
acetate units and
anionically modified polyvinylalcohol units.
The second water soluble resin may comprise a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol
homopolymer
and a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising an anionic monomer unit,
preferably wherein the
blend comprises from 0% to 70% of the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising
an anionic
monomer unit and from 30% to 100% of the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. based
on the total
weight of the second water soluble resin in the film, more preferably wherein
the blend comprises
from 10% to 70%, even more preferably from 15% to 65%, even more preferably
from 20% to 50%,
most preferably from 30% to 40% of the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer comprising
an anionic
monomer unit and from 30% to 90%, or from 35% to 85%, or from 50% to 80%, or
from 60 wt% to
70 wt% by weight of the second water soluble resin of the polyvinyl alcohol
homopolymer, based on
the total weight of the second water soluble resin in the film. The polyvinyl
alcohol copolymer can
be present at a concentration which, together with the concentration of the
polyvinyl alcohol
homopolymer, sums to 100%.
The anionic monomer unit present in the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer of the
first resin,
present in the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer of the second resin, or a mixture
thereof may
independently be selected from the group consisting of anionic monomers
derived from of vinyl
acetic acid, alkyl acrylates, maleic acid, monoalkyl maleate, dialkyl maleate,
monomethyl maleate,
dimethyl maleate, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, monoalkyl fumarate, dialkyl
fumarate,
monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, fumaric anhydride, itaconic acid,
monomethyl itaconate,
dimethyl itaconate, itaconic anhydride, citraconic acid, monoalkyl
citraconate, dialkyl citraconate,
citraconic anhydride, mesaconic acid, monoalkyl mesaconate, dialkyl
mesaconate, mesaconic
anhydride, glutaconic acid, monoalkyl glutaconate, dialkyl glutaconate,
glutaconic anhydride, vinyl
sulfonic acid, alkyl sulfonic acid, ethylene sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido- 1 -
methyl propane sulfonic
acid. 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid. 2-methylacrylamido-2-
methylpropanesul ionic
acid. 2-sulfoethyl acrylate, alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof', and
combinations thereof;
preferably, wherein the anionic monomer unit is selected from the group
consisting of
anionic monomers derived from maleic acid, monoalkyl maleate. dialkyl maleate,
maleic anhydride,
alkali metal salts thereof, esters thereof, and combinations thereof
more preferably wherein the anionic monomer unit is selected from the group
consisting of
anionic monomers derived from maleic acid, monomethyl maleate. dimethyl
maleate, maleic
anyhydride. alkali metal salts thereof esters thereof. and combinations
thereof
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Preferably, the first and second polyvinyl alcohol copolymers independently
comprise from 1
mol% to 8 mol% more preferably from 2 mol% to 5 mol%, most preferably from 3
mol% to 4 mol%
of the anionic monomer unit with respect to total polyvinyl alcohol copolymer
present.
Preferably, the first polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and second polyvinyl
alcohol
homopolymer and the first polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and second polyvinyl
alcohol copolymer
independently have a degree of hydrolysis of from 80% to 99% preferably from
85% to 95% more
preferably from 86% and 93%.
Preferably, the first polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers and second polyvinyl
alcohol
homopolymer and first polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and second polyvinyl alcohol
copolymer
independently have a 4% solution viscosity in demineralized water at 25 C in
a range of 4 cP to
40cP, preferably of 10cP to 30 cP, more preferably of 12 cP to 25 cP.
Preferably, the first water-soluble film and the second water-soluble film
independently have
a water soluble resin content of between 30% and 90%, more preferably between
40% and 80%,
even more preferably between 50% and 75%, most preferably between 60% and 70%
by weight of
the film.
Preferably, the water-soluble unit dose article exhibits a dissolution
profile, according to the
unit dose article dose article machine wash dissolution test method described
below of less than 6.2
preferably less than 6 more preferably less than 5.8.
The first and or second film may independently be opaque, transparent or
translucent. The
first and or second film may independently comprise a printed area. The
printed area may cover
between 10 and 80% of the surface of the film; or between 10 and 80% of the
surface of the film that
is in contact with the internal space of the compartment: or between 10 and
80% of the surface of the
film and between 10 and 80% of the surface of the compartment.
The area of print may cover an uninterrupted portion of the film or it may
cover parts thereof,
i.e. comprise smaller areas of print, the sum of which represents between 10
and 80% of the surface
of the film or the surface of the film in contact with the internal space of
the compartment or both.
The area of print may comprise inks, pigments. dyes. blueing agents or
mixtures thereof.
The area of print may be opaque, translucent or transparent.
The area of print may comprise a single colour or maybe comprise multiple
colours, even
three colours. The area of print may comprise white. black. blue. red colours,
or a mixture thereof
The print may be present as a layer on the surface of the film or may at least
partially penetrate into
the lilm. The film will comprise a first side and a second side. The area of
print may be present on
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either side of the film, or be present on both sides of the film.
Alternatively, the area of print may be
at least partially comprised within the film itself.
The area of print may be achieved using standard techniques, such as
flexographic printing or
ink jet printing. Preferably, the area of print is achieved via flexographic
printing, in which a film is
printed, then moulded into the shape of an open compartment. This compartment
is then filled with
a detergent composition and a second film placed over the compartment and
sealed to the first film.
The area of print may be on either or both sides of the film.
Alternatively, an ink or pigment may be added during the manufacture of the
film such that
all or at least part of the film is coloured.
The first and or second film may independently comprise an aversive agent, for
example a
bittering agent. Suitable bittering agents include, but are not limited to,
naringin, sucrose
octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, denatonium benzoate, or mixtures thereof
Any suitable level of
aversive agent may be used in the film. Suitable levels include, but are not
limited to, 1 to 5000ppm,
or even 100 to 2500ppm, or even 250 to 2000ppm.
The first and or second film may also comprise other actives typically known
by a skilled
person in the art including water, plasticizer and surfactant.
Detergent composition
The detergent composition may be in the form of free flowing powder, a liquid,
a compacted
solid, a gel or a mixture thereof
The detergent composition may be in the form of a free flowing powder. Such a
free flowing
powder may have an average particle size diameter of between 100 microns and
1500 microns,
preferably between 100 microns and 1000 microns, more preferably between 100
microns and 750
microns. Those skilled in the art will be aware of standard techniques to
measure particle size. The
detergent composition may be a free flowing laundry detergent composition.
The detergent composition may be a liquid. In relation to the liquid detergent
composition of
the present invention, the term 'liquid' encompasses forms such as
dispersions, gels, pastes and the
like. The liquid composition may also include gases in suitably subdivided
form. However, the
liquid composition excludes forms which are non-liquid overall, such as
tablets or granules.
The detergent composition may be a liquid laundry detergent composition. The
term 'liquid
laundry detergent composition' refers to any laundry detergent composition
comprising a liquid
capable of wetting and treating fabric e.g.. cleaning clothing in a domestic
washing machine.
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The laundry detergent composition is used during the main wash process but may
also be
used as pre-treatment or soaking compositions.
Laundry detergent compositions include fabric detergents, fabric softeners, 2-
in-1 detergent
and softening, pre-treatment compositions and the like.
The laundry detergent composition may comprise an ingredient selected from
bleach, bleach
catalyst, dye, hueing dye, brightener, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated
polyamines and
polyethyleneimines, soil release polymer, surfactant, solvent, dye transfer
inhibitors, chelant,
builder, enzyme, perfume, encapsulated perfume. polycarboxylates, rheology
modifiers, structurant,
hydrotropes, pigments and dyes, opacifiers, preservatives, anti-oxidants,
processing aids,
conditioning polymers including cationic polymers, antibacterial agents, pH
trimming agents such as
hydroxides and alkanolamines, suds suppressors, and mixtures thereof.
Surfactants can be selected from anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, non-ionic,
amphoteric or
mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fabric care composition comprises anionic,
non-ionic or mixtures
thereof.
The anionic surfactant may be selected from linear alkyl benzene sulfonate,
alkyl ethoxylate
sulphate and combinations thereof.
Suitable anionic surfactants useful herein can comprise any of the
conventional anionic
surfactant types typically used in liquid detergent products. These include
the alkyl benzene sulfonic
acids and their salts as well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate
materials.
The non-ionic surfactant may be selected from fatty alcohol alkoxylate, an oxo-
synthesised
fatty alcohol alkoxylate, Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, alkyl phenol alcohol
alkoxylates or a mixture
thereof. Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein include the alcohol
alkoxylate nonionic
surfactants. Alcohol alkoxylates are materials which correspond to the general
formula:
RI(Cõ,H2n,0),,OH wherein R' is a C8-C16 alkyl group. m is from 2 to 4, and n
ranges from about 2 to
12. In one aspect, is an alkyl group. which may be primary or secondary,
that comprises from
about 9 to 15 carbon atoms, or from about 10 to 14 carbon atoms. In one
aspect, the alkoxylated
fatty alcohols will also be ethoxylated materials that contain on average from
about 2 to 12 ethylene
oxide moieties per molecule, or from about 3 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties per
molecule.
The shading dyes employed in the present laundry detergent compositions may
comprise
polymeric or non-polymeric dyes. pigments. or mixtures thereof. Preferably the
shading dye
comprises a polymeric dye. comprising a chromophore constituent and a
polymeric constituent. The
chromophore constituent is characterized in that it absorbs light in the
wavelength range of blue, red.
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violet, purple, or combinations thereof upon exposure to light. In one aspect,
the chromophore
constituent exhibits an absorbance spectrum maximum from about 520 nanometers
to about 640
nanometers in water and/or methanol, and in another aspect, from about 560
nanometers to about
610 nanometers in water and/or methanol.
Although any suitable chromophore may be used, the dye chromophore is
preferably selected
from benzodifuranes, methine, triphenylmethanes, napthalimides, pyrazole,
napthoquinone,
anthraquinone, azo, oxazine, azine, xanthene, triphenodioxazine and
phthalocyanine dye
chromophores. Mono and di-azo dye chromophores are preferred.
The dye may be introduced into the detergent composition in the form of the
unpurified
mixture that is the direct result of an organic synthesis route. In addition
to the dye polymer
therefore, there may also be present minor amounts of un-reacted starting
materials, products of side
reactions and mixtures of the dye polymers comprising different chain lengths
of the repeating units,
as would be expected to result from any polymerisation step.
The laundry detergent compositions can comprise one or more detergent enzymes
which
provide cleaning performance and/or fabric care benefits. Examples of suitable
enzymes include,
but are not limited to, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases,
xylanases, lipases,
phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases,
oxidases, phenoloxidases,
lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, 13-
glucanases,
arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and amylases, or
mixtures thereof. A typical
combination is a cocktail of conventional applicable enzymes like protease,
lipase, cutinase and/or
cellulase in conjunction with amylase.
The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may comprise one
or more
bleaching agents. Suitable bleaching agents other than bleaching catalysts
include photobleaches,
bleach activators, hydrogen peroxide. sources of hydrogen peroxide, pre-formed
peracids and
mixtures thereof..
The composition may comprise a brightener. Suitable brighteners are stilbenes,
such as
brightener 15. Other suitable brighteners are hydrophobic brighteners, and
brightener 49. The
brightener may be in micronized particulate form, having a weight average
particle size in the range
of from 3 to 30 micrometers. or from 3 micrometers to 20 micrometers. or from
3 to 10 micrometers.
The brightener can be alpha or beta crystalline form.
The compositions herein may also optionally contain one or more copper, iron
and/or
manganese chelating agents. The chelant may comprise 1-
hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid (HEDP)
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and salts thereof; N,N-dicarboxymethy1-2-aminopentane-1,5-dioic acid and salts
thereof; 2-
phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxyl ic acid and salts thereof; and any
combination thereof
The compositions of the present invention may also include one or more dye
transfer
inhibiting agents. Suitable polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents include,
but are not limited to,
polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-
vinylpyrrolidone
and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidones and polyvinylimidazoles or
mixtures thereof
The laundry detergent composition may comprise one or more polymers. Suitable
polymers
include carboxylate polymers, polyethylene glycol polymers, polyester soil
release polymers such as
terephthalate polymers, amine polymers, cellulosic polymers, dye transfer
inhibition polymers, dye
lock polymers such as a condensation oligomer produced by condensation of
imidazole and
epichlorhydrin, optionally in ratio of 1:4:1, hexamethylenediamine derivative
polymers, and any
combination thereof
Other suitable cellulosic polymers may have a degree of substitution (DS) of
from 0.01 to
0.99 and a degree of blockiness (DB) such that either DS+DB is of at least
1.00 or DB+2DS-DS2 is
at least 1.20. The substituted cellulosic polymer can have a degree of
substitution (DS) of at least
0.55. The substituted cellulosic polymer can have a degree of blockiness (DB)
of at least 0.35. The
substituted cellulosic polymer can have a DS + DB, of from 1.05 to 2.00. A
suitable substituted
cellulosic polymer is carboxymethylcellulose.
Another suitable cellulosic polymer is cationically modified hydroxyethyl
cellulose.
Suitable perfumes include perfume microcapsules, polymer assisted perfume
delivery
systems including Schiff base perfume/polymer complexes, starch-encapsulated
perfume accords,
perfume-loaded zeolites, blooming perfume accords, and any combination thereof
A suitable
perfume microcapsule is melamine formaldehyde based, typically comprising
perfume that is
encapsulated by a shell comprising melamine formaldehyde. It may be highly
suitable for such
perfume microcapsules to comprise cationic and/or cationic precursor material
in the shell, such as
polyvinyl formamide (PVF) and/or cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose
(catHEC).
Suitable suds suppressors include silicone and/or fatty acid such as stearic
acid.
The laundry detergent composition maybe coloured. The colour of the liquid
laundry
detergent composition may be the same or different to any printed area on the
film of the article.
Each compartment of the unit dose article may have a different colour.
Preferably, the liquid
laundry detergent composition comprises a non-substantive dye having an
average degree of
alkoxylation of at least 16.
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At least one compartment of the unit dose article may comprise a solid. If
present, the solid
may be present at a concentration of at least 5% by weight of the unit dose
article.
Method of making a unit dose article
Those skilled in the art will be aware of processes to make the detergent
composition of the
present invention. Those skilled in the art will be aware of standard
processes and equipment to
make the detergent compositions.
Those skilled in the art will be aware of standard techniques to make the unit
dose article
according to any aspect of the present invention. Standard forming processes
including but not
limited to thermoforming and vacuum forming techniques may be used.
A preferred method of making the water-soluble unit dose article according to
the present
invention comprises the steps of moulding the first water-soluble film in a
mould to form an open
cavity, filling the cavity with the detergent composition, laying the second
film over the first film to
close the cavity, and sealing the first and second films together preferably
through solvent sealing,
the solvent preferably comprising water, to produce the water-soluble unit
dose article.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being
strictly limited to the
exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such
dimension is intended
to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding
that value. For
example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
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Test protocols
1. Unit dose article strength test method
This test method describes the practice for determining the unit dose article
strength using the
Instron Universal Materials Testing instrument (Instron Industrial Products,
825 University Ave.,
Norwood, MA 02062-2643) with a load cell of maximum 100 kN (kilo Newton). Via
compression
of a unit dose article, this method determines the overall strength (in
Newtons) of the unit dose
article by putting pressure on the film and seal regions. Unit dose article
strength (in Newtons) is
defined as the maximum load a unit dose article can support before it breaks.
Unit dose articles
opening at the seal area at a pressure lower than 250N are reported as seal
failures, and are not taken
into account when determining average unit dose article strength.
The unit dose article strength was measured no sooner than one hour after unit
dose article
production so that the film/unit dose articles had time to set after
converting. The method was
performed in a room environment between 30% and 40% relative humidity (RH) and
20% and 23 C.
Stored unit dose articles were allowed to re-equilibrate to the testing room
environment for one hour
prior to testing.
FIG. 1. shows a schematic illustration of the basic configuration of the unit
dose article
strength test. To measure unit dose article strength, a unit dose article 510
was enclosed in a plastic
de-aerated bag 500 (150 mm by 124 mm with closure, 60 micron thick - e.g. Raja
grip RGP6B) to
prevent contamination of working environment upon unit dose article rupture.
After enclosure in the
bag, the unit dose article 510 was centered between two compression plates
520, 530 of the
instrument. The unit dose article 510 was placed in an upright position, so
that the width seal
dimension 540 (e.g. smallest dimension within a defined rectangular plane just
encompassing the
seal area, 41mm in actual unit dose articles tested) was between the
compression plates (x-direction)
such that the stress was applied on the width seal. For the compression, the
speed of decreasing the
distance between the plates 520 and 530 is set at 60 mm/min. Ten replicates
were conducted per test
leg, and average unit dose article strength data. excluding seal failures as
defined above, are
reported.
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2. Tensile Strain Test and e-modulus Test
A water-soluble film characterized by or to be tested for tensile strain
according to the Tensile
Strain (TS) Test and e-modulus (elongation modulus or tensile stress)
according to the Modulus
(MOD) Test was analyzed as follows. The procedure includes the determination
of tensile strain and
the determination of e-modulus according to ASTM D 882 ("Standard Test Method
for Tensile
Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting-). An INSTRON tensile testing apparatus
(Model 5544 Tensile
Tester or equivalent - Instron Industrial Products, 825 University Ave.,
Norwood, MA 02062-2643)
was used for the collection of film data. A minimum of three test specimens,
each cut with reliable
cutting tools ( e.g. JDC precision sample cutter, Model 1-10, from Thwing
Albert Instrument
Company, Philadelphia, PA U.S.A. ) to ensure dimensional stability and
reproducibility, were tested
in the machine direction (MD) (where applicable), i.e. water soluble film roll
winding / unwinding
direction, for each measurement. Water soluble films were pre-conditioned to
testing environmental
conditions for a minimum of 48h. Tests were conducted in the standard
laboratory atmosphere of 23
+ 2.0 C and 35 5 % relative humidity. For tensile strain or modulus
determination, 1"-wide
(2.54 cm) samples of a single film sheet having a thickness of 3.0 0.15 mil
(or 76.2 3.8 lim) are
prepared. For e-modulus testing virgin films were tested. For tensile strain
testing test films were
first pre-immersed in testing detergent according to the protocol described
below. The sample was
then transferred to the INSTRON tensile testing machine to proceed with
testing. The tensile testing
machine was prepared according to manufacturer instructions, equipped with a
500 N load cell, and
calibrated. The correct grips and faces were fitted (INSTRON grips having
model number 2702-032
faces, which are rubber coated and 25 mm wide, or equivalent). The samples
were mounted into the
tensile testing machine, elongated at a rate of 1N/min, and analyzed to
determine the e- modulus
(i.e., slope of the stress-strain curve in the elastic deformation region) and
tensile strain at break (i.e..
% elongation achieved at the film break, i.e. 100% reflects starting length,
200% reflects a film that
has been lengthened 2 times at film break). The average of minimum three test
specimens was
calculated and reported.
Film pre-immersion protocol
A film sample measuring 11 cm by 12 cm was prepared of both films intended to
be used to
form a sealed compartment enclosing a liquid household detergent composition.
A total of 750 ml of
the household liquid detergent composition intended to be enclosed within a
sealed compartment
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CM4497ML-JC 17
comprising the test films, was required for each test film. The bottom of a
clean inert glass recipient
was covered with a thin layer of liquid and the film to be tested was spread
on the liquid; air bubbles
trapped under the film were gently pushed towards the sides. The remaining
liquid was then gently
poured on top of the film, in such a way that the film was fully immersed into
the liquid. The film
should remain free of wrinkles and no air bubbles should be in contact with
the film. The film
stayed in contact with the liquid and was stored under closed vessel
conditions for 6 days at 35 C
and 1 night at 21 C. A separate glass recipient was used for each test film.
The film was then
removed from the storage vessel, and the excess liquid was removed from the
film. A piece of paper
was put on the film which was laid on top of a bench paper, and then the film
was wiped dry
thoroughly with dry paper. Films were consequently pre-conditioned to tensile
strain environmental
testing conditions as described above. When intending enclosing solid
household detergent
compositions, virgin films were used for tensile strain testing.
3. Method for measurement of water capacity
Water capacity was measured with a DVS (Dynamic Vapor Sorption) Instrument.
The instrument
used was a SPS-DVS (model SPSx-l[t-High load with permeability kit) from
ProUmid. The DVS
uses gravimetry for determination of moisture sorption/desorption and is fully
automated.
The accuracy of the system is + 0.6% for the RH (relative humidity) over a
range of 0-98% and
0.3 C at a temperature of 25 C. The temperature can range from +5 to +60 C.
The microbalance in
the instrument is capable of resolving 0.1 lug in mass change. 2 replicates of
each film are measured
and the average water capacity value is reported.
For the specific conditions of the test, a 6 pan carousel which allows to test
5 films
simultaneously (1 pan is used as a reference for the microbalance and needs to
remain empty) was
used.
Each pan has an aluminum ring with screws, designed to fix the films. A piece
of film was
placed onto a pan and after gentle stretching, the ring was placed on top and
the film was tightly
fixed with the screws and excess film removed. The film covering the pan
surface had an 80 mm
diameter.
The temperature was fixed at 20 C. Relative humidity (RH) was set at 35% for 6
hours, and then
gradually raised onto 50 A in 5 min. The REI remained at 50 % for 12hours.
The total duration of the
measurement was 18 hours.
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The cycle time (= time between measuring each pan) was set to 10 min and the
DVS records
each weight result vs. time and calculates automatically the % Dm (relative
mass variation versus
starting weight of the film, i.e. 10% reflects a 10% film weight increase
versus starting film weight).
The water capacity (or %Dm gained over 50%RH cycle during the fixed time of 12
hours at
20 C) was calculated by difference of the value %Dm at 50%RH (last value
measured at 50%RH)
minus %Dm at 35%RH (last value before going up to 50%RH).
EXAMPLES
The following unit dose articles were prepared and tested for unit dose
article strength per the
protocol described herein. Comparative unit dose article outside the scope of
the invention have been
prepared out of a single film type while example unit dose articles according
to the invention have
been prepared out of two different films, differing in e-modulus according to
the invention.
Multicompartment water soluble unit dose articles with a 41mm x 43mm
footprint, cavity
depth of 20.1mm and cavity volume of 25m1, were made through thermo/vacuum
forming. For dual
film example unit dose article films A and C were deformed under vacuum while
films B and D
were used as closing films respectively. A standard detergent composition, as
commercially
available in the UK in January 2016 in the bottom compartment of Fairy non-Bio
3-in-1 water
soluble unit dose article product was enclosed inside these unit dose
articles.
Table 1 below details film compositions used to prepare comparative and
example unit dose articles.
Table 1
Starting film Resin Blend Polymer 1 (anionic-PVOH copolymer)
Polymer 2
thickness = 76 content ratio (PVOH
micron in film
homopolymer)
Anionic Anionic dH 4% dH 40/s
source substition viscosity
viscosit_y
Example 1
Comparative Film 65% 30/70 Monomethyl 40/s 89% 16cps 87% 13cps
pouch 1 B maleate
(single Film (carboxylated)
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CM4497ML-JC 19
type = B)
Example Film 65% 40/60 Monomethyl 4% 89% 16cps 87% 24cps
pouch 1 A maleate
(dual film (carboxylated)
type = A+B) Film 65% 30/70 Monomethyl 4% 89% 16cps 87% 13cps
B maleate
(carboxylated)
Example 2
Comparative Film 65% 30/70 Monomethyl 4% 89% 16cps 88% 12cps
pouch 2 D maleate
(single film (carboxylated)
type = D)
Example Film 65% 30/70 Monomethyl 4% 89% 16cps 88% 17cps
pouch 2 C maleate
(dual Film (carboxylated)
type = C+D) Film 65% 30/70 Monomethyl 4% 89% 16cps 88% 12cps
maleate
(carboxylated)
Table 2 below details key physical properties of the respective films used in
the examples.
Table 2
e-modulus Tensile strain at Water capacity
break
Film A 11.4MPa 1123% 5.058%
Film B 8.25MPa 855% 5.141%
Film C 19.35MPa 906% 4.259%
Film D 14.29MPa 555% 4.406%
From Table 3 below it is clear that the example unit dose articles 1 and 2
made of 2 films
differing in e-modulus according to the scope of the invention provide both
good pouch strength.
compared to respective comparative examples 1 and 2 made out of a single type
film showing an
inferior unit dose article strength.
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Pouch Pouch strength
(N)
Example 1
Comparative 427
article 1
Article I 613
Example 2
Comparative 427
article 2
Article 2 544
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being
strictly limited
to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified,
each such dimension is
intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range
surrounding that value.
For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40
mm".
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent
or application,
is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly
excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art
with respect to any
invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination
with any other reference
or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to
the extent that any
meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or
definition of the
same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition
assigned to that term
in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and described, it
would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and
modifications can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is
therefore intended to cover
in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the
scope of this
invention.
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