Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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IMPROVED VISUAL CUES FOR PERFUMED LAUNDRY DETERGENTS
This invention relates to perfumed granular laundry
detergent compositions that contain contrasting visual cues
made from coloured and shaped film material.
BACKGROUND
It is conventional to include perfume in laundry detergent
compositions. Such products are appreciated by the consumer
according to their smell. The smell in the pack, the smell
in use and the smell on the clothes before and after drying
and/or ironing have all been the focus of much research and
many patents. Possibly a hint of the type of perfume in a
given composition is made by the naming of the variant or
the way the product is marketed. It is desirable to provide
better information about the type of perfume in the
composition.
Recently, there have been publications linking perception of
smells with shape and colour. In Neuron, Vol 39, 375-386,
17 July 2003. "The Nose Smells What the Eye Sees:
Crossmodal Visual Facilitation of Human Olfactory
Perception"; Jay A. Gottfried and Raymond J. Dolan reported:
The human sense of smell is unreliable acting by itself. It
needs visual cues to be more accurate. The underlying brain
network involved in this olfactory and visual process was
studied. The brain activity of subjects was monitored by
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MRI as they perceived smell and sight stimuli. The stimuli
were manipulated in various combinations and the brain
changes in subjects monitored. The researchers found that
visual cues impact upon the olfactory cues as registered in
the frontal part of the brain's hippocampus and the brain's
rostromedial orbitofrontal cortex.
In J Neurophysiol 93: 3434-3441, 2005. "Color of Scents:
Chromatic Stimuli Modulate Odor Responses in the Human
Brain", by Robert A. Osterbauer, Paul M. Matthews, Mark
Jenkinson, Christian F. Beckmann, Peter C. Hansen and Gemma
A. Calvert. It was reported that: Colour has a profound
effect on the perception of smells. For example,
strawberry-flavoured drinks are judged to smell more
pleasant when coloured red than when coloured green.
Moreover, descriptions of the "nose" of a wine are
dramatically influenced by its colour. Colour cues affect
olfaction as seen by the changes in brain activity in the
brain's caudal regions of the orbitofrontal cortex. In
these experiments, laboratory subjects were given various
combinations of smells - lemon, strawberry, spearmint, or
caramel - and colours - yellow, red, turquoise, or brown.
When a colour and smell matched expectations, such as yellow
colour together with a lemon odour, there was more activity
in brain regions that process olfactory information than
when the smell was given alone. Mismatches of colour and
smell produced less brain activity.
Thus, actions such as adding red colouring to white wine can
alter how a person perceives the wine's odour - and the
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publication revealed how we can watch the brain while this
happens.
In GB2358403A, coloured water-soluble plastic film particles
are added to a powdered laundry detergent of contrasting
colour. The examples of this patent application use 5mm
diameter circular or star shaped film particles. GB2358403A
also discloses that the visual cues may suitably have other
symmetrical and regular shapes, such as squares and
triangles. As an alternative to the use of identical
shapes, matched sets of shapes are suggested, for example,
geometrical shapes: triangles, squares, pentagons, and
hexagons; numerals; letters of the alphabet; heavenly
bodies: sun, moon, and stars.
In W02006/079416, 0.1% coloured visual cues made from gum
Arabic film are added to a laundry detergent powder. The
gum Arabic cues are irregularly shaped and are produced by
fragmenting a large film of the appropriate material. When
film material is broken in this way, it forms random shapes
with sharp angles, generally having a triangular or "spiky"
appearance.
It is an object of the present invention to produce an
improved visual cue that may aid identification and
appreciation of perfume odour in a laundry detergent
composition, especially a laundry powder composition.
It is also an object to provide a granular laundry detergent
composition comprising perfume and coloured and shaped
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visual cues that contribute to an improved experience of the
washing process.
DEFINITIONS
Visual Cue
Means a consumer perceivable point of differentiation in a
detergent composition. This could be a feature of the bulk
composition: e.g. colour, viscosity, size of granules, or it
could be achieved by having visually distinct particles
included in the composition, in a minor amount.
Visual Cue Particle
Means a coloured speckle, film particle or other solid
visually contrasting particle added to a detergent
composition in a minor amount to function as a visual cue.
Lamellar Visual Cue (or Lamellae)
Means visual cue particles in the form of planar film
material made into shapes. The shapes may be cut from a
sheet of film or may be cast directly. Such lamellae are
also called "film particles".
Flower Shaped (or Flower-Like)
Means planar film shapes (or lamellae) that have the outline
of the shape of a flower with petals having a central
generally circular
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area with six, rotationally symmetrically dispersed "petals"
radiating therefrom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a
granular laundry detergent composition comprising at least 5
wt% surfactant, optional builder, optional further cleaning
ingredients, a perfume and 0.01 to 10 wt% of visual cues
wherein the visual cue is flower shaped with petals coloured
to have a naturally occurring petal colour and wherein the
perfume is a floral perfume.
The visual cue colours are selected from the group
comprising: yellow, red, blue, lilac, violet, orange, purple
and green colours.
The visual cues have a diameter of between 2mm and 10mm.
The visual cues are advantageously formed of coloured
soluble film material with a maximum thickness of lmm,
preferably 0.4 mm most preferably 0.25mm, most preferably
0.2 mm.
The visual cues preferably have a relative density of less
than 0.8, preferably 0.5, most preferably 0.4. This ensures
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that the cues float and assists in continued provision of a
visual cue for the perfume, even during the wash.
The advantage of such visual cues lies in their improved
effectiveness in reinforcing and conveying perfume
attributes to the user. This in turn contributes to an
improved experience of the washing process and has been
shown even to result in an enhanced perception of
cleanliness and freshness of the washed fabrics.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
To provide an effective visual cue for perfume it is
desirable that the petals must be evenly distributed
throughout a detergent composition, so the segregation must
be not too large. This is particularly significant when the
cue is used in a detergent powder composition.
The petal shaped visual cues do not segregate unduly during
mixing, handling, transport. Segregation would lead to
unacceptable dosing variability for consumers. At the level
of segregation observed the consumer accepts it. Moreover,
there is evidence that the experienced level of segregation
actually has a positive effect on performance due to the
'surprise' factor. This can be quantified experimentally by
reflectance measurements.
Each visual cue preferably has a weight of > 1 mg and < 4
mg, more preferably between 1.5 and 3.5 mg and a specific
gravity of > 200 and < 500, preferably between 250 and 400
is highly advantageous for the petals.
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The invention also encompasses use of two or more completely
different petals in one composition. These will
advantageously have been cut from different films and may be
different colours as well as different shapes and/or sizes.
The film from which the visual cue is made may itself be
perfumed and/or it may incorporate other ingredients
beneficial to the washing and/or designed to enhance the
effect of the visual cue. Among these may be mentioned
fluorescer, pearlescent materials, iridescent materials,
reflecting materials, pro-fragrances, material having
tactile benefits such as glycerine, materials delivering
skin care benefits such as Aloe Vera.
Some ingredients (fluorescer) may increase the effect of the
visual cue. It is also possible to include a low level of
dye to counter any yellowing. Shading dye delivers a real
benefit in the wash. Aloe Vera could be included this way too.
Other functional ingredients that can be used in the petals
are TAED, GerolTM, DTI-I, enzymes, shading dye and perfume.
The most preferred ingredients for use in films are those
that only need to be present at very low levels in the
powder formulation, especially perfume, shading dye, bleach
catalysts, fluorescer. Such materials may be instable in
detergents due to interaction with moisture and other
ingredients. The film also permits a greater range of
soluble dyes to be used than was possible for speckles. It
also gives the advantage that there is very little if any
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bleeding of dye into the bulk of the powder. Soluble dyes
are preferred over pigments, as they do not stain cloths.
For incorporation of sensitive ingredients into the film, it
is advantageous if the film contains polyvinyl alcohol
(PVA).
The preferred film materials comprise water soluble polymer,
surfactant and colorant. Optional further ingredients are:
adjuncts to assist in the manufacture of the film, for
instance release agents and water. Besides its effect of
control of relative humidity of the film, water also assists
in plasticising the film and regulates its solubility.
The polymer may be selected from water soluble film forming
polymers, especially those used in formulation of detergent
powders. Preferred polymers include polymers which dissolve
and/disperse completely in water within 30 minutes with
agitation at a temperature anywhere in the range of from 293
to 333K.
Preferred water soluble polymers are those capable of being
cast into a film or solid mass, for example as described in
Davidson and Sittig, Water-Soluble Resins, Van Nostrand
Reinhold Company, New York (1968). Preferred water-soluble
resins include polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose ethers,
polyethylene oxide, starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone,
polyacrylamide, polyvinyl methyl ether-maleic anhydride,
polymaleic anhydride, styrene maleic anhydride,
hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,
polyethylene glycols, carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylic
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acid salts, alginates, acrylamide copolymers, guar gum,
casein, ethylene-maleic anhydride resin series,
polyethyleneimine, ethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, ethyl
methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, sugars. Lower
molecular weight water-soluble, polyvinyl alcohol film-
forming resins are preferred.
Polyvinyl alcohols preferred for use therein have an average
molecular weight anywhere between 1,000 and 1,000,000,
preferably between 5,000 and 250,000, for example between
15,000 and 150,000. Hydrolysis, or alcoholysis, is defined
as the percent completion of the reaction where acetate
groups on the resin are substituted with hydroxyl, -OH,
groups, A hydrolysis range of from 60-99% of polyvinyl
alcohol film-forming resin is preferred, while a more
preferred range of hydrolysis is from about 70-90% for
water-soluble, polyvinyl alcohol film-forming resins. The
most preferred range of hydrolysis is 80-89%. As used in
this application, the term "polyvinyl alcohol" includes
polyvinyl acetate compounds with levels of hydroloysis
disclosed herein.
Another suitable polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol film, made
of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer having a comonomer having a
carboxylate function.
The preferred grade of PVA picks up water only at an RH well
above that of granular detergent compositions. Thereby, it
protects the other film ingredients from decomposition by
water and soluble dyes from bleeding.
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The visual cue film particle may comprise 10 to 80% polymer
or polymer mixture.
Although any suitable surfactant or surfactant system may be
used, the surfactant is preferably an anionic surfactant,
especially if the granular composition comprises a builder.
Suitable anionic surfactants include are well-known to those
skilled in the art. Examples of high-foaming sulphonate or
sulphate type surfactants include alkylbenzene sulphonates,
particularly linear alkylbenzene sulphonates having an alkyl
chain length of C8-C15; primary and secondary alkylsulphates,
particularly C8-C15 primary alkyl sulphates; olefin
sulphonates; alkyl xylene sulphonates; dialkyl
sulphosuccinates; and fatty acid ester sulphonates. Sodium
salts are generally preferred.
Further information is given in the open literature, for
example, in "Surface-Active Agents and Detergents", Volumes
I and II, by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.
The preferred anionic surfactants are alkylbenzene
sulphonates, more especially linear alkylbenzene sulphonate
(LAS), which is preferably present in an amount of from 12
to 24 wt%, more preferably from 12 to 22 wt% and especially
from 15 to 22 wt%.
Even more preferred are primary alcohol sulphates (PAS),
particularly CB-C18, preferably C12-C15, primary alcohol
sulphates. A particularly preferred surfactant is primary
alcohol sulphate (PAS) with a carbon chain length of 12.
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Visual cue Film particles containing up to 50% PAS, may be
used.
The film may additionally include a second surfactant. The
second surfactant is preferably chosen from amphoteric
surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants
and ethoxylated anionic surfactants.
Preferred amphoteric second surfactants are amine oxides.
The most preferred amine oxide is coco dimethylamine oxide.
Preferred zwitterionic second surfactants are betaines, and
especially amidobetaines, for example, coco amidopropyl
betaine.
Preferred nonionic second surfactants include the primary
and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C8-C20
aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to
moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more
especially the Co-05 primary and secondary aliphatic
20 alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 10 moles
of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
Preferred ethoxylated anionic second surfactants, include
alkyl ether sulphates (ethoxylated alcohol sulphates).
Also suitable for use as second surfactants in the visual
cues of the present invention are C8-C18 alkyl
monoethanolamides, for example, coco monoethanolamide.
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The second surfactant system used in the film particle may
additionally comprise minor amounts, e.g. less than 5% of
the film, of cationic surfactant.
Surfactant may be included at a level of up to 90 wt%,
preferably up to 75 wt%, most preferably up to 60 wt% in the
film.
The visual cue needs to be easily visible in wash liquor as
well as against the background of the detergent formulation,
therefore it is preferably coloured. Non fabric-substantive
colorants may be included in the film composition at a level
of 0.001 to 0.5 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 0.3 wt% of the film.
Suitable colorants include any that are used to colour
detergent liquids or powders. Yellow, blue, violet, purple,
red, orange, green, pink and lilac are preferred colours.
White pigmented or dyed visual cues may also be used if the
remainder of the laundry detergent composition is
sufficiently coloured to contrast with such a white colour.
The visual cues can be made by cutting or punching a film or
could be formed by cutting an extruded rod with a petal like
cross section. The method of manufacture is not critical to
the invention.
The granular laundry detergent composition comprising the
shaped visual cue petal can be any type at all, provided it
includes more than 5 wt% surfactant and perfume as essential
components. It is preferred if the petal contrasts in
colour but this is not essential if the petals will separate
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in use by floating on the surface of the wash liquor whilst
the granular remainder of the composition sinks or
disperses. Preferred surfactants are the ones that may be
included in the petal film composition. Preferred builders
are phosphates and carbonates.
Granular laundry detergent compositions for use in the
invention may be built or unbuilt, low or high foaming, and
contain any suitable type of detersive surfactant. However,
it is preferred for handwash applications that they are
built high foaming compositions comprising anionic
surfactant. Phosphate and/or carbonate builders are
preferred. It is especially beneficial if the surfactant
system in the powder has synergistic compatibility with the
anionic surfactant in the visual cue. Such surfactant
combinations are well known in the field.
The granular composition may be manufactured by any of the
known processes, such as spray drying, dry mixing and
combinations thereof. It may be formed by using adjunct
granules. It is desirable that the visual cues are post
dosed to the composition, preferably using a low shear mixer
to ensure an even distribution of the visual cues through
the granular composition. The film particles are included
in the total composition at a weight percentage in the range
0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.03 to 2 wt% most preferably 0.1
to 1 wt%.
The compositions may suitably contain from 10 to 80%,
preferably from 15 to 70% by weight, of detergency builder.
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Preferably, the quantity of builder is in the range of from
15 to 50% by weight.
Often granular detergents used for hand washing of laundry
include inorganic phosphates, more especially sodium
tripolyphosphate. Other possible phosphate builders are
sodium orthophosphate and pyrophosphate.
Sodium tripolyphosphate is preferably present in an amount
of from 10 to 40 wt%, more preferably from 15 to 35 wt%,
most preferably from 20 to 30 wt%.
Alternative inorganic builders that may be used in place of
or in addition to phosphates are sodium carbonate, layered
silicates, and amorphous aluminosilicates.
Alternatively or additionally, the detergent compositions of
the invention may contain as builder a crystalline alkali
metal (preferably sodium) aluminosilicate (zeolite).
Preferred zeolites are zeolite A (zeolite 4A), and zeolite
MAP as described and claimed in EP 384 070B.
Organic builders that may be used include polycarboxylate
polymers such as polyacrylates and acrylic/maleic
copolymers; polyaspartates; monomeric polycarboxylates such
as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol mono-,
di- and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates,
carboxymethyloxymalonates, dipicolinates, hydroxyethyl
iminodiacetates, alkyl and alkenyl malonates and succinates;
and sulphonated fatty acid salts.
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Especially preferred organic builders are citrates, suitably
used in amounts of from 5 to 30 wt %, preferably from 10 to
25 wt %; and acrylic polymers, more especially
acrylic/maleic copolymers, suitably used in amounts of from
0.5 to 15 wt %, preferably from 1 to 10 wt %.
Builders, both inorganic and organic, are preferably present
in alkali metal salt, especially sodium salt, form.
Other ingredients that are beneficially contained within a
granular detergent composition include any that are
conventionally employed in such compositions. Especially
preferred are ingredients conventionally used in hand
washing compositions. Thus, sodium sulphate, enzymes,
fluorescers, dye transfer inhibiters, anti redeposition
agents, shading dye and enzymes are desirably included.
Although it is possible to include bleach, this is less
preferred for hand wash compositions.
Use of a green granule in the composition is advantageous if
used with film colours that are associated with flowers.
The visual cue effect due to this floral colour selection is
further amplified by the green "stem" colour contrast in the
granular composition. This is especially important for use
with perfumes evocative of nature, such as floral perfumes.
A petal shape is much preferred over squares and even over
hexagons, when the composition to which it is added
comprises perfume and most especially when the colour of the
petal shape is selected from the natural shades of lilac,
pink, yellow, blue, red etc. Users prefer the "petal" to a
hexagon of the same size and colour. Without wishing to be
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bound by theory it is believed that the closer resemblance
to the natural shape of the flower and the correlation
between the shape, colour and smell emanating from the
powder or wash liquor gave rise to this finding.
Use of a packet matched visual cue is exciting for the
consumer and increases the effect of the visual cue.
Moreover, although yellow does not work as a speckle colour
it can work as visual cue due to higher visibility against
white powder; thus allowing greater range of colours for
visual cues. Having the powder add to the overall effect
can also be beneficial. For example having some green
speckles in the powder has been found to combine with the
petal shaped coloured visual cues to emphasise the floral
aspects. This may be further reinforced by the use of a
similar colour scheme on the pack.
The petals may have some contrasting dots or a punched out
area in the centre to increase their likeness to a real
flower. However, it has been observed that the exact
mimicking of a flower is not essential. Thus the shapes can
be smaller than a flower and can have somewhat simplified
shapes and colour schemes to enable more cost effective
manufacture without detracting from the result of enhanced
perfume effect. This has been borne out in testing on human
subjects. Advantageously having a hole punched out of
centre of the petal also makes it lighter.
To maximise the impact of petal shaped visual cue with
perfume it is desirable if the shape and smell are linked
already in nature as this has been found to provoke the best
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possible response from the user. The colour, shape and
smell should all be a close as possible to the natural ones.
Suitable perfumes for inclusion in the composition (both in
the petal and elsewhere) are described in W02004/111174,
W02004/111171, W02004/111172 and W02005/059077. A perfume
is not generally a single compound but usually a complex
mixture made up of a mix of various fragrance notes. The
present invention includes the use of individual compounds
(fragrance notes) and complex mixtures.
The invention is particularly suited to perfumes that are
not stable to high pH or bleach. In particular perfumes
which decompose by more than 20% in aqueous solution at pH
11 for 7 days, or perfumes which decompose by more than 20%
when exposed to aqueous solution containing 2 mM hydrogen
peroxide or peracetic acid at pH 11, for 7 days. Percentages
refer to loss in concentration in moles per litre. Tests
should be performed at 293K with 1 mM perfume. To
solubilise the perfumes, surfactants, preferably 1g/L Sodium
dodecyl sulphate (SDS), may be used.
This includes compounds with a wide degree of different
functional groups, for example, alcohols, ketones, esters,
lactones, aldehydes, terpenes, and phenols.
Preferred examples of aldehydic perfumes are cyclamen
aldehyde, hydroxycitronellal, hydrocinnamic aldehyde,
lilial, lyral, nonadienal, and phenylacetaldehyde,
Preferred examples of phenolic containing perfumes are:
raspberry ketone, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, 4-propy1-2-
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methoxyphenol, 4-ally1-2-methoxyphenol, 4-propeny1-2-
methoxyphenol, hexyl salicylate, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate,
and methyl salicylate.
Perfumes are readily available for such firms as:
International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF), Firmenich SA and
Givaudan.
The following is a list of preferred perfumes that may be
used with the present invention: Alpha demascone; Delta
demascone; Iso E super; Cinnamic aldehyde; Hexylcinnamic
aldehyde; Aldehyde butylcinnamic; benzaldehyde; anisique
aldehyde; Linalol; Tetrahydrolinalol; Undecavertol;
Geraniol; Nerol; Citronellol; citral; Oxyde de Rose; Geranyl
acetate; Citronellyl acetate; Coumarine; Linalyl acetate;
Geranyl nitrate; Citronellyl nitrile; Cinnamonitrile;
Citronitrile; pinane; veloutone; Alpha-methylionone;
damascenone; Gamma-terpinene; trifernal; lilial;
citronellal; cyclosal; heliopropanal; zestover; Aldehyde
C12; tridecylenicaldehyde; Cyclosia base; octenal; pulegone;
Vertofix0 Coeur, a methyl cedryl ketone from IFF; and,
terpinolene.
Particularly advantageous perfume release effects may be
obtained if the perfumes that are included in the lamellar
visual cues are encapsulated. An encapsulated perfume is a
perfume that is mixed with a polymeric material to form a
particle of maximum dimension of 100 microns. Preferably,
the vapour pressure of the perfume is reduced in the
encapsulated particle at 293K and 1 atmosphere pressure.
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Typical materials used to encapsulate perfumes are modified
starches, celluloses, amino-plast-resins and polyacrylates.
Choosing a visual cue with curvature, particularly
concavities closer to that of the convex surface of a
typical granule is beneficial in solving the above problems.
Furthermore, a cue that is reminiscent of a natural shape,
especially one with a natural perfume is especially
desirable.
As an even lighter weight alternative to film it is possible
to fabricate meshes or open felt mats of polymer based
material and to cut those into petal shapes in the same way
as films.
The petals may be coloured, opaque, or even partially clear.
In any case, it is possible to print onto the film to
provide a single colour, multiple colours or a pattern such
as a representation of a natural object like a leaf or
flower.
One preferred class of petal shapes are those that are
designed to be tilable or tessellated. To be tilable and
yet to resemble petals they must have a plurality of visible
indentations along their perimeter. Such concave lamellae
can be expressed mathematically as that for each design of
concave lamellae it must be possible to draw a straight line
that passes through the periphery of the particle in more
than two places. Convex shaped particles; like squares,
hexagons, and rectangles can never satisfy this requirement.
Another way to express the required shape mathematically is
that each petal must either have a plurality of internal
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reflex angles, or it must have a plurality of indentations
due to curved parts of its periphery.
If there are discernable internal angles, the periphery of
the lamellae preferably has no internal angles less than 100
degrees and must have at least one internal angle greater
than 180 degrees (a reflex angle). At least two such angles
are preferred. Advantageously, in this case, all internal
angles are less than 260 degrees, so that relatively fragile
points are avoided.
Most preferred are shapes with twice as many internal angles
in the range 100 to less than 180 degrees as in the range
more than 180 to less than 260 degrees.
The shape of the petals is preferably selected from polygons
modified to have at least two opposing sides provided with
an outwardly extending generally convex distortion and a
corresponding inwardly extending concave distortion such
that the inward and outward distortions may be fitted
together by tiling.
The shape of the petals is most preferably selected from
polygons modified to have each side provided with an
outwardly extending generally convex distortion and a
corresponding inwardly extending concave distortion such
that the inward and outward distortions may be fitted
together by tiling.
Preferred polygons are hexagons.
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A preferred shape for the concave lamellae is based on the
normal construction of a, so called, Gosper island, as this
enables a single and visually effective shape to be used.
Koch snowflakes may also be employed if two different sized
concave lamellae are desired. Gosper Islands and Koch
snowflakes are well known fractal concepts and have been
used previously as a basis for tessellated or tiled designs
by mathematicians. A first iteration Gosper island is most
preferred, as this has 18 straight sides. This shape is
described in more detail below, with reference to the
drawings.
It is even possible to utilise two completely different but
complementary concave lamellae, as defined herein, to obtain
the benefit of low waste attributable to the present
invention.
To maximise the impact of a visual cue for perfume it is
desirable for the shape of the lamellae to resemble
something natural and normally associated with a smell; viz.
a petal, a flower, etc. Advantageously, the shape of the
concave lamellae and the smell of the composition are linked
already in nature as this has been found to provoke the best
possible response from the user. Most advantageously, the
colour of the concave lamellae adds to the cueing and the
colour, shape and smell should all be as close as possible
to natural ones and related to the same smell, e.g. a floral
smell. The size of the concave lamellae does not seem to be
as important as its shape or colour. This freedom to use
smaller than life sized representations of objects as visual
cues enables the use of more cues for the same surface area.
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For instance using a 5 mm diameter visual cue with an
approximate cross-sectional area of 13 mm2 allows
incorporation of the concave lamellar visual cues into a
laundry treatment composition to deliver from 50 to 100 such
cues per wash, preferably about 70 per wash.
Natural shapes that may also be used for concave lamellae
that can be tiled are trees, leaves .and animals. A
particularly advantageous shape for use as a visual cue for
perfume is a petal-like shape, based on a hexagon suitably
modified to keep its design tilable. Each side of the
hexagon is preferably modified in an identical fashion.
Thus, each side has both protruding and intruding
distortions that are displaced reflections of one another,
the previously opposite parallel faces of the hexagon being
.
modified so that the new surfaces are also substantially
parallel, but more complex, lines. For instance, the
modified faces may be sinusoidal or they may be formed of
three interconnected lines. Preferably, the new perimeter
line intersects the original perimeter of the hexagon
substantially at the midpoint of a side of the original
unmodified hexagon.
For ease of manufacture, it is preferred that the majority
of the sides of the concave lamellae are straight, most
preferably they are all straight.
Advantageously all the concave lamellae have substantially
the same shape. They may all have substantially the same
size to minimise segregation issues.
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The concave lamellae desirably have rotational symmetry.
The preferred first iteration Gosper islands have this
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symmetry.
The concave lamellae may all be the same colour, or they may
comprise a mixture of different colours. The colour, or
colours, of the concave lamellae may be selected to match
the pack colour, or colours. Most preferred colours are
lilac, pink, yellow, blue, red, purple, violet, green, and
orange.
Preferably, the shape of the concave lamellae is directly
linked to an aspect of the base laundry treatment
composition. Examples are that the shape is the outline
shape of a flower and the composition has a perfume,
especially a floral perfume. Ideally, the concave lamellae
would also be the colour of a flower petal in this instance.
When tiled the concave lamellae are desirably arranged in
rows and columns and they are aligned in columns and offset
in rows.
The invention will now be further described by way of
example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings
of which.
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Fig 1 is a pictorial representation of a flower petal visual
cue.
Fig 2 is a pictorial representation of a second flower petal
visual cue, which can be tessellated.
Further embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the
skilled reader following this teaching and using common
general knowledge.
