Articles containing enclosed compositions
Abstract
The present invention relates to an article comprising a first pouch made of a water-reactive material, which comprises a) a first solid or liquid composition; and b) a second pouch made of a water-reactive material, comprising in its interior a second solid or liquid composition. Also provided are processes for making such article. Alternatively, the second pouch is preferably joined to the first pouch side-by-side. Preferred articles comprise fabric cleaning compositions for laundry, dish washing or hard surface cleaning or fabric care compositions.
Term
Term ended
Expired 23 July 2021, 5.2 years ago.
- Priority
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- Granted
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- Today
11 claims: 7 independent, 4 dependent
- 1An article for use in a dishwashing machine comprising a first pouch made of a water-soluble material, which comprises in its interior a) a first solid or liquid composition;and b) a second pouch made of a water-soluble material, comprising in its interior a second solid or liquid composition;characterised in that the first pouch is made by thermo-forming or vacuum-forming.
- 3An article as in any preceding claim, whereby the first and second pouch are made of the same or different water-soluble material, preferably a film comprising a polyvinyl alcohol polymer.
- 4An article as in any preceding claim whereby the second pouch is made of a material which dissolves slower in water than the material of the first pouch.
- 6An article as in any preceding claim whereby the first pouch and also the second pouch are made by thermo-forming or vacuum-forming, preferably vacuum-forming.
- 7An article as in any preceding claim whereby the first composition is liquid.
- 8An article as in any preceding claim whereby the second composition is liquid.
- 9An article as in any preceding claim whereby one composition comprises a bleach catalyst and/or peroxygen bleach and the other composition comprises a peracid and/or a precursor thereof, or whereby one composition comprises a peroxygen bleach and/or peracid precursor and the other composition comprises a peracid.
Independent claims7
57 paragraphs, as filed
Field of the Invention
0001This invention relates to an article for use in a dishwashing machine comprising a first pouch made from a water-soluble film. The present invention also relates to an article for providing sequential release of at least two different compositions.
Background of the Invention
0002<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US5351831A"><text>US-A-5,351,831</text></patcit>, issued on October 4<sup>th</sup> 1994, discloses a containerization system for agrochemicals comprising at least one inner water soluble bag located within an outer water soluble bag.
0003Cleaning products and fabric care products can be found on the market in various forms, such as granular compositions, liquid compositions and tablets. It is also known to put cleaning products in unit dose sachets, which can be water-soluble or water-permeable, to release the product when added to water. Such sachets, for example laundry sachets, may have two compartments, which each comprise different ingredients, typically ingredients which are not compatible with one another. These compartments are typically attached to another. <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP0414462A"><text>EP-A-0 414 462</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US4082678A"><text>US-A-4-082 678</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="GB2187748A"><text>GB-A-2 187 748</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US4776455A"><text>US-A-4 776 455</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="GB2254857A"><text>GB-A-2 254 857</text></patcit> are examples of this approach. We have found an improved way of delivering a sachet comprising two compartments or more with for example different compositions per compartment. This new sachet or article of the invention comprises a first pouch made from a water-soluble film, which comprising in its interior a first composition and an another pouch made also made from a water-soluble film, containing a second composition. The second pouch is completely enclosed by the first pouch.
0004The article of the invention combines all advantages of single compartment pouches with the advantages of dual (or more) compartment pouches. The advantages of the article of the invention and the way of making it, include for example: the second pouch is not in contact with the external environment (air) and is thus better protected; the first pouch and first composition dissolve before the second pouch and second composition, which provides an easy way to deliver ingredients sequentially to the (wash) water; the article has reduced seals on the outside surface, so reduced chance of leakage through the seals; ease of making these new articles; reduced process complexity (compared to attaching compartments to one another); and it is even possible to reduce the amount of pouch material needed. Also, the second pouch and also the articles as a whole are much more impact robust, as compared to pouches with separate compartments attached to another (for example, the compressive force required to expel liquid from the second pouch in such an article is much higher, e.g. 50% or more, depending on the execution).
0005Also, in the case of a second pouch containing a liquid which is contained within a first powder-containing pouch, the powder can easily absorb any small amount of liquid leaking from the second pouch, and/or the resulting article is much less susceptible to minor leaking from second pouch. In the case of a liquid-containing pouch within a liquid containing pouch, only the first pouch is susceptible to leaking to the external environment.
Summary of the Invention
0006The invention relates to an article comprising a first pouch made of a water-soluble material which comprises in its interior <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a) a first solid or liquid composition; and</li><li>b) a second pouch made of a water-soluble material comprising in its interior a second solid or liquid composition;</li></ul> wherein the first pouch is made by thermo-forming or vacuum-forming.
0007In a further embodiment of the present invention, a first pouch contains therein a first composition and a second pouch contains therein a second composition. The first pouch is made of a material which releases the first composition significantly earlier than the second pouch releases the second composition. Preferably, the first composition is a builder composition, while the second composition is a hard surface cleaning composition. Such an embodiment preferably employs a first pouch which quickly dissolves and/or ruptures to release the first composition, and a second pouch which dissolves and/or ruptures more slowly to release the second composition. This arrangement provides especially useful benefits, such as allowing sequential water softening and subsequent cleaning.
0008The invention also relates to a process for making such an article; this process comprises the step of making the first pouch by vacuum-forming or thermo-forming.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Article and Pouches
0009The article of the invention, comprises at least two pouches, and one pouch completely encloses at least one other pouch. The pouches herein are a closed structure, each having an interior (a volume space) comprising therein a liquid or solid composition. These pouches can be of any form, shape and material which is suitable to hold the composition, e.g. without allowing the release of the composition from the pouch prior to contacting the pouch with water. The first and/or second pouch may comprise, in addition to the second pouch, additional (third and further) pouches containing a third and further composition. The exact execution of the article will depend on, for example, the type and amount of the composition in each pouch, the number of pouches, the characteristics required from the article or pouches to hold, protect and deliver or release the compositions.
0010Each pouch comprises a liquid or solid composition to be delivered to form a solution (typically in water) and which can benefit from this article arrangement or delivery form, but preferred are fabric care, or cleaning compositions, as described herein after. Typical are either compositions having actives to be delivered to water at different moments (sequential release) and/or actives to be separate from one another for any reason, such as chemical or physical stability of these actives or the composition as a whole.
0011The article may be of such a size that it conveniently contains either a unit dose amount of the composition herein, suitable for the required operation, for example one wash, or only a partial dose, to allow the consumer greater flexibility to vary the amount used, for example depending on the size and/or degree of soiling of the wash load. The second pouch contained in the first pouch is of course smaller than this first pouch. Exact sizes will depend on how much each pouch need to contain and thus how much volume is required. Because the invention is useful for delivering a specific active at a later stage or protecting a specific active form the external environments (air) or from other actives in the other pouch, the second pouch typically has a relative small volume, for example less than 50% or even less than 30% or even less than 20% of the volume of the first pouch, and typically more than 3%, preferably more than 5%. Of course, this equally applies for any further pouches contained in the first pouch, and the same volume ratio applies preferably for further pouches contained in the second pouch. When the article needs to be dispensed to the water via a dispensing drawer in a dishwashing machine, it is useful that the second pouch is of such a size that it can dispense into the wash water through the small holes in the drawer, in particular when the article is for sequential release of product and is made such that the first pouch dissolves in the dispensing drawer and the second pouch does not dissolve in the drawer, but is dispensed completely in to the wash water.
0012The pouches are made from a water-soluble material. For the purpose of the invention, water-soluble material means material which dissolves, upon contact with water, releasing thereby the composition.
0013The first pouch will react in water to release its contents before the second pouch, due to the nature of the construction of the article. To further enhance this sequential release, the first pouch may be more water-soluble than the second pouch. This can for example be achieved by using different type of material for the first pouch than for the second pouch, for example, the first pouch is made of a material having a different type of polymer, different plasticiser, different levels components in the material, different coating of the film material, different thickness of the film material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pouches are made by a process involving stretching the material used for the pouch. Then, the above effect can also be achieved by stretching the material to a greater degree in the first pouch as compared to the second.
0014The first pouch is preferably made from a water-soluble film, said water-soluble film having a solubility in water of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, as measured by the method set out hereinafter using a glass-filter with a maximum pore size of 50 microns, namely:
0015Gravimetric method for determining water-solubility of the material of the compartment and/or pouch: 50 grams ±0.1 gram of material is added in a 400 ml beaker, whereof the weight has been determined, and 245ml ± 1ml of distilled water is added. This is stirred vigorously on magnetic stirrer set at 600 rpm, for 30 minutes. Then, the mixture is filtered through a folded qualitative sintered-glass filter with the pore sizes as defined above (max. 50 micron). The water is dried off from the collected filtrate by any conventional method, and the weight of the remaining polymer is determined (which is the dissolved or dispersed fraction). Then, the % solubility or dispersability can be calculated. It may be preferred that the second pouch is made of a material having equal water-solubility as the first pouch material; it may also be preferred, as set out above, that the solubility of the second pouch is less than the first pouch, and that the film of the second pouch has a solubility which is only 90% or less, or even only 80% or less, or even only 60% or less or even only 50% or less of the solubility of the first material measured as defined above.
0016Preferred materials are films of polymeric materials, e.g. polymers which are formed into a film or sheet. The film can for example be obtained by casting, blow-moulding, extrusion or blow extrusion of the polymer material, as known in the art. Preferred polymers, copolymers or derivatives thereof are selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyaminoacids or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide, copolymers of maleic/acrylic acids, polysaccharides including starch and gelatine, natural gums such as xanthum and carragum. More preferably the polymer is selected from polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylate copolymers, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrin, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates, most preferably polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC). The polymer can have any weight average molecular weight, preferably from about 1000 to 1,000,000, or even form 10,000 to 300,000 or even form 15,000 to 200,000 or even form 20,000 to 150,000.
0017Mixtures of polymers can also be used. This may in particular be beneficial to control the mechanical and/or dissolution properties of the compartments or pouch, depending on the application thereof and the required needs. For example, it may be preferred that one polymer material has a higher water-solubility than another polymer material, and/or one polymer material has a higher mechanical strength than another polymer material. It may be preferred that a mixture of polymers is used, having different weight average molecular weights, for example a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or a copolymer thereof of a weight average molecular weight of 10,000- 40,000, preferably around 20,000, and of PVA or copolymer thereof, with a weight average molecular weight of about 100,000 to 300,000, preferably around 150,000.
0018Also useful are polymer blend compositions, for example comprising a hydrolytically degradable and water-soluble polymer blend such as polylactide and polyvinyl alcohol, achieved by the mixing of polylactide and polyvinyl alcohol, typically comprising 1-35% by weight polylactide and approximately from 65% to 99% by weight polyvinyl alcohol, if the material is to be water-soluble.
0019It may be preferred that the polymer present in the film is from 60% to 98% hydrolysed, preferably 80% to 90%, to improve the dissolution of the material, and/or that the levels of plasticiser, including water, in the film are varied such that the dissolution is adjusted as required.
0020Most preferred is PVA film; preferably, the level of polymer in the film, for example a PVA polymer, is at least 60%. Such films typically comprise a PVA polymer with similar properties to the film known under the trade reference M8630 or CXP4087, as sold by Chris-Craft Industrial Products of Gary, Indiana, US. Preferably, the first pouch is made of a film material having the properties of PVA polymer-containing film M8630 and that the second pouch is made of material having similar properties as PVA-containing film CXP4087. Even more preferred are the materials M8630 and/or CXP4087 themselves. Other highly preferred PVA films useful herein are also available as "Solublon PT30" and "Solublon KA40" from Aicello Chemical Co., Ltd., Aichi, Japan.
0021The film herein may comprise other additive ingredients such as plasticisers (for example water glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethyleneglycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof), stabilisers, disintegrating aids, etc. If one or more of the compositions in the article is a cleaning composition, then the pouch material itself may comprise a cleaning agent or additive useful for cleaning compositions, to be delivered to the wash water, for example organic polymeric soil release agents, dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors.
0022Preferably, the pouch, in particular the first pouch is made of a material which is stretchable, as set out herein. This facilitates the closure of the open pouch, when is filled for more than 90% or even 95% by volume or even 100% or even over filled. Moreover, the material is preferably elastic, to ensure tight packing and fixation of the composition therein during handling, e.g. to ensure no (additional) head space can be form after closure of the compartment. Preferred stretchable materials have a maximum stretching degree of at least 150%, preferably at least 200%, and more preferably of at least 400% as determined by comparison of the original length of a piece of material just prior to rupture due to stretching, when a force of from about 1 to about 20 Newtons is applied to a piece of film with a width of 1 cm. Preferably, the material is such that it has a stretching degree as before, when a force of from about 2 to about 12 Newtons, and more preferably from about 3 to about 8 Newtons is used. For example, a piece of film with a length of 10 cm and a width of 1 cm and a thickness of 40 microns is stretched lengthwise with an increasing stress, up to the point that it ruptures. The extent of elongation just before rupture can be determined by continuously measuring the length and the degree of stretching can be calculated. For example, a piece of film with an original length of 10 cm which is stretched with a force of 9.2 Newton to 52 cm just before breaking, has a maximum stretching degree of 520%.
0023The force to stretch such a piece of film (10 cm x 1 cm x 40 microns) to a degree of 200% should preferably be within the ranges described above. This in particular ensures that the elastic force remaining in the film after forming the pouch or closing the pouch is high enough to pack the composition tightly within the pouch (but not so high that the film cannot be drawn into a vacuum mould of reasonable depth, when the pouch is made by a process involving the use of vacuum, such as by vacuum-forming or thermo-forming).
0024As is clear form the definition herein, the stretchable material is defined by a degree of stretching measured when it is not present as a closed pouch. However, as said above, the material is preferably stretched when forming or closing the pouch. This can for example been seen by printing a grid onto the material, e.g. film, prior to stretching, then forming a pouch; it can be seen that squares of the grid are elongated and thus stretched.
0025The elasticity of the stretchable material can be defined as the 'elasticity recovery'. This can be determined by stretching the material for example to an elongation of 200%, as set out above, and measuring the length of the material after release of the stretching force. For example a piece of film of a length of 10 cm and width 1 cm and thickness of 40 microns is stretched lengthways to 20 cm (200% elongation) with a force of 2.8 Newtons (as above), and then the force is removed. The film snaps back to a length of 12 cm, which indicates an 80% elastic recovery. Preferably, the pouch material, in particular the first pouch, has an elasticity recovery of from about 20% to about 100%, more preferably from about 50% to about 100%, even more preferably from about 60% to about 100%, still more preferably from about 75% to about 100%, and even still more preferably form about 80% to about 100%.
0026Typically and preferably, the degree of stretching is non-uniform over the pouch, due to the formation and closing process. For example, when a film is positioned in a mould and an open pouch is formed by vacuum forming, the part of the film in the bottom of the mould, furthest removed form the points of closing, will be stretched more than in the top part. Another advantage of using stretchable and preferably also elastic material, is that the stretching action stretches the material non-uniformly, which results in a pouch which has a non-uniform thickness. This allows control of the dissolution/ disintegration or dispersion of the pouches herein. Preferably, the material is stretched such that the thickness variation in the pouch formed of the stretched material is from 10 to 1000%, preferably 20% to 600%, or even 40% to 500% or even 60% to 400%. This can be measured by any method, for example by use of an appropriate micrometer.
0027In a preferred embodiment, the first pouch releases the first composition significantly earlier than the second pouch (or any subsequent pouches) releases the second composition. The term "significantly earlier", as used herein, indicates that the first composition is released at least about 30 seconds, preferably from about 45 seconds to about 10 minutes, and more preferably from about 60 seconds to about 5 minutes earlier than the second composition. Furthermore, the term "released" as used herein indicates that the pouch is ruptured, dissolved, and/or otherwise broken, preferably solely by interaction between the pouch material and water, so as to allow the composition contained therein to perform its function in water. Alternatively, the pouch may have a soluble seal which dissolves to release the pouch contents.
0028Preferably, the first pouch begins releasing its contents almost immediately upon contacting water. More preferably, the first pouch begins releasing its contents from about 1 second to about 120 seconds, even more preferably from about 5 seconds to about 60 seconds, after contacting the water. This embodiment is especially preferred where the first composition is intended to enhance the activity of the second composition by, for example, softening the water, removing otherwise reactive and/or undesirable ions, etc. Thus, in such an embodiment, a highly preferred first composition comprises a builder composition, a chelant, a chlorine ion sequesterant, or a combination thereof. Such compounds and/or compositions are <i>per se</i> known in the art. Such an embodiment provides significant manufacturing and logistics advantages, such as allowing a single base second composition to be produced, and yet allow easy customizing of the first composition to account for local variations in water hardness, chlorine levels, contaminant levels, etc. across many geographies. Such a surprising benefit gives a manufacturer the flexibility to use a single base composition many countries, and can save significant production, formulation, and logistics costs.
0029Additionally, delaying the release of the second pouch composition may allow the use of materials typically incompatible with the first pouch composition. For example a bleach and an enzyme. In this way, the first composition is allowed to act in solution before the second is released.
Process for Making Article and Pouches
0030The article of the invention is made by introducing a second pouch containing a composition in a first pouch, such that the first pouch encloses the second pouch completely. The process comprises the steps of : <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a) formation of the second pouch in open form, adding the second composition in said open second pouch and closing this to obtain the second pouch;</li><li>b) formation of the first pouch in open form, adding the second pouch and the first composition to the open first pouch and closing this first pouch to obtain the article.</li></ul>
0031The first pouch and the second pouch (and any further pouches which may be present) are made by thermo-forming or even more preferably by vacuum-forming. Thermo-forming typically involves the step of formation of an open pouch in a mould under application of heat, which allows the material used for the pouch to take on the shape of the mould. Vacuum may be concurrently or separately used herein as well. Vacuum-forming typically involves the step of applying a (partial) vacuum on a mould which sucks the material into the mould and ensures the material adopts the shape of the mould.
0032Then, the open pouch in the mould is filled with the composition, and in the case of the first pouch, with the second pouch. The open pouch is then closed, typically with another piece of material, and sealed. The sealing can be done by any known method, for example by heat sealing, wetting, use of gluing agent, compression, or combinations thereof.
Process for Detemining-Releasing and Dissolving Times of the Pouch
0033Prepare a 2 L clear glass beaker containing 1.5 L deionized water at 25 °C. Add a magnetic stirring rod set at 600 rpm and place the beaker in front of a white piece of paper/background. Prepare at least a first pouch containing sodium carbonate, and a second pouch containing additional sodium carbonate and an intense, water-soluble blue dye. Use a pH meter to continuously monitor the pH of the water in the beaker, while visually judging the color of the solution. Also prepare a timer.
0034Measure the base pH of the water prior to adding the first and second pouches. Upon simultaneously adding the pouches, start the timer. Continuously monitor the pH, noting the times when the pH begins to increase, and when the pH levels off. Also continuously monitor the color of the water from opposite the white paper/background, and note when the first indications of blue color appear. The first pH change indicates that the first composition is released from the first pouch, and the color change and second increase in pH indicate when the second composition is released from the second pouch. In addition, one can visually judge when the first and second pouches are completely dissolved.
0035As the stirring action of the stirring bar simulates actual in-use conditions, the above testing method is comparable to actual consumer use in a dishwashing machine.
Compositions
0036The article herein comprises at least two compositions which are separated from one another, because they are enclosed by a different pouch. The compositions may have the same components and form, but of course, the benefit of the invention typically arises from the fact that two or more different compositions can be contained within one article.
0037Highly preferred are articles which combine two or more types of compositions having two or more different purposes; for example, one composition being a cleaning composition and another composition being a perfume composition or bleach additive. Also preferred may be that the division of ingredients per composition is done based on their chemical or physical compatibility, for example that the composition in the second pouch comprises selected cleaning ingredients which are not compatible with ingredients of the composition in the first pouch; for example, one composition may comprise bleach and the other composition bleach sensitive or reactive ingredients such as perfumes, enzymes, organic polymers, bleach catalysts.
0038The ingredients per composition may also be divided such that the first composition comprises ingredients to be delivered to the water first, and the other composition(s) comprises ingredients to be delivered at a later stage; for example, the first composition may comprise a shampoo and the second a hair care product; the first composition may comprise a dish wash composition comprising builder, chelant, surfactant and/or enzymes and the second composition a rinse aid, glass care agent. Highly preferred are dish compositions whereby one pouch, typically the first, larger pouch, comprises cleaning agents and the second pouch comprises perfumes, and/or the second pouch comprises additives such as bleach.
0039The first composition may be a liquid, non-aqueous liquid, gel, etc., which is transparent, so that the second pouch is visible. The second pouch or compositions therein may also have a distinctive colour, compared to the first pouch or composition therein. For example, the composition in the second pouch may comprise a (non fabric substantive) dye, whilst the first composition is colorless or comprises a different dye.
0040The compositions may also have a different physical state, for example, the first composition may be a solid while the second composition must be liquid. Then, it may be beneficial to incorporate in the second composition those ingredients which are liquid or are effectively and efficiently delivered in liquid solution or suspension, for example liquid nonionic surfactants, perfume oils, water and other solvents, and in the first composition the solid ingredients, for example actives which are not very soluble in organic solvent or water, or even insoluble, or which are more efficiently or effectively delivered, incorporated or active in solid form: for example enzyme granules, bleach granules, insoluble builders and polymeric ingredients, salts of builders or surfactants, perfume granules, clay, effervescence sources.
0041Preferred ingredients in solid compositions or non-aqueous liquids are effervescence sources, capable of producing a gas upon contact with water, typically CO<sub>2</sub> gas, formed by reaction of a carbonate source and an acid source, preferably a carbonate salt and an organic carboxylic acid, such a citric acid, malic acid, maleic acid, glutaric acid, fumaric acid. Also preferred are other dissolution or dispensing aids, as known in the art
0042When liquid composition is present, it comprises only small amounts of water, up to 8% or even up to 6% or up to 4% by weight of the composition. Preferably, other solvents are present, such as alcohols, glycerine, polyethylene glycol, paraffin.
0043When the second and optimally first component comprises a liquid composition, it is preferred that this pouch comprising the liquid composition has a small air bubble, preferably the air bubble has a volume of no more than 20%, preferably no more than 10%, more preferably no more than 5% of the volume enclosed by said pouch. Such a air bubble provides improved resistance to rupture caused by, for example, heat, freezing, compression, etc. during shipping.
Example I
0044A mould is used which consists of a cylindrical shape and has a diameter of 10mm and a depth of 8mm. A 0.5mm thick layer of rubber is present around the edges of the mould. The mould has some holes in the mould material to allow a vacuum to be applied. A piece of Chris-Craft M-8630 or CXP4087 film is placed on top of this mould and fixed in place. A vacuum is applied to pull the film into the mould and pull the film flush with the inner surface of the mould. Composition B or D (see below) is poured into the mould, preferably in an amount to almost or completely fill the mould. Then, another piece of the same film material is placed over the mould and sealed to the first piece of film by applying an annular piece of heated flat under moderate pressure onto the ring of rubber at the edge of the mould to heat-seal the two pieces of film together to form the second pouch.
0045Another mould is used which consists of a cylindrical shape and has a diameter of 45mm and a depth of 25mm. A 1.0mm thick layer of rubber is present around the edges of the mould. The mould has some holes in the mould material to allow a vacuum to be applied. A piece of Chris-Craft M-8630 film is placed over the top of this mould and a vacuum is applied to pull the film into the mould and pull the film flush with the inner surface of the mould. Pouch B above and a composition A or C (see below) is poured into the mould, preferably in an amount to almost or completely fill the mould. Then, another piece of the same film material is placed over the mould and sealed to the first piece of film by applying an annular piece of heated flat under moderate pressure onto the ring of rubber at the edge of the mould to heat-seal the two pieces of film together to form the first pouch and thus the article herein. (The metal ring is typically heated to a temperature of from 135 °C to 150 °C and applied for up to 5 seconds.)
0046This process can be modified by using other methods of forming the shape of the pouches, other types of film, other sizes of mould, sealing methods, more individual pouches etc.
0047The following are possible compositions A and B, C and D as useful in the process above, but are provided for reference only. Typically, composition A and B, C and D are used in amount to suit unit dosage, such that the moulds used above and the resulting pouches are filled by at least 90% by volume.
0048Any combination of A1 to A6 with any of B1 to B8 is possible, combination A5 and A6 with B1 or B3 being less preferred. C1 is typically combined with D1; C2 is typically combined with D2; C3 is typically combined with D3; C4 is typically combined with D4. <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="7"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="56mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="12mm" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry rowsep="0">Reference Liquid composition A</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col7" align="center">Amount (by weight of the liquid component)</entry></row><row><entry /><entry>A1</entry><entry>A2</entry><entry>A3</entry><entry>A4</entry><entry>A5</entry><entry>A6</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Liquid Nonionic surfactant</entry><entry>15%</entry><entry>40%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>74%</entry><entry /><entry>10%</entry></row><row><entry>Solvent (alcohol, glycerol)</entry><entry>15%</entry><entry>30%</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>12%</entry><entry>30%</entry><entry>20%</entry></row><row><entry>Perfume</entry><entry>5%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>7%</entry><entry>7%</entry><entry /><entry /></row><row><entry>Water</entry><entry>5%</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>3%</entry><entry>2%</entry><entry /><entry>5%</entry></row><row><entry>Chelant</entry><entry>5%</entry><entry>5%</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>15%</entry><entry>5%</entry></row><row><entry>Soluble builder phosphate, fatty acids</entry><entry>35%</entry><entry>15%</entry><entry>30%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry /><entry>15%</entry></row><row><entry>Anionic surfactant</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>30%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>10%</entry></row><row><entry>Percarbonate</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>35%</entry><entry>30%</entry></row><row><entry>TAED, peracid, or catalyst</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>5%</entry></row><row><entry>Minors</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="9"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="40mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="14mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="14mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="14mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="14mm" /><colspec colnum="8" colname="col8" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="9" colname="col9" colwidth="12mm" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry rowsep="0">Reference Composition B</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col9" align="center">Amount (by weight of the solid/ liquid component)</entry></row><row><entry /><entry>B1</entry><entry>B2</entry><entry>B3</entry><entry>B4</entry><entry>B5</entry><entry>B6</entry><entry>B7</entry><entry>B8</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Percarbonate</entry><entry>40%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>40% -</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Chelating agent</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>10% -</entry><entry /><entry>-</entry><entry>15% -</entry><entry /><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Enzyme</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>50% -</entry><entry /><entry>20%</entry><entry>15%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Cationic softener</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>60%</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Bleach activator</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>15%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Solvent</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>25% -</entry><entry /><entry>-</entry><entry>40%</entry></row><row><entry>Water</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>5%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>3%</entry><entry>30%</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Surfactant</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>30%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Perfume</entry><entry /><entry>10%</entry><entry>5%</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>12%</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>60%</entry></row><row><entry>Silicone-softener</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>50% -</entry><entry /><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>softening clay (bentonite)</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>25%</entry><entry /><entry>-</entry><entry>60% -</entry><entry /><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Minors</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="88mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="12mm" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry>Reference Composition C (solid)</entry><entry>C1</entry><entry>C2</entry><entry>C3</entry><entry>C4</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Percarbonate</entry><entry>15%</entry><entry>50%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry /></row><row><entry>TAED</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Clay softener and/or cationic softener and/or silicone softener</entry><entry>35%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>65%</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Polyethylene oxide of av. mol. Wt. 500 000</entry><entry>5%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>citric acid</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>30%</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>35%</entry></row><row><entry>Bicarbonate/ carbonate</entry><entry>15%</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>35%</entry></row><row><entry>Perfume</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>5%</entry><entry>30%</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="51mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="12mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="12mm" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry>Reference Composition D (liquid)</entry><entry>D1</entry><entry>D2</entry><entry>D3</entry><entry>D4</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Organic solvent or suspending aid</entry><entry>60%</entry><entry>40%</entry><entry>50%</entry><entry>30%</entry></row><row><entry>Bleach catalyst</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>5%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>PAP</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>20%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>NOBS/NACA-OBS</entry><entry>10%</entry><entry>35%</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Perfume</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>-</entry><entry>40%</entry><entry>-</entry></row><row><entry>Enzymes</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>10%</entry><entry>10%</entry></row><row><entry>Surfactant</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>60%</entry></row><row><entry>Minors up to 100%</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP0132726A2 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | Opposition |
| EP0593952A1 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | Opposition |
| DE19537671A1 | Cites | Germany | Opposition |
| US4522738A | Cites | United States of America | Opposition |
| US5222595A | Cites | United States of America | Opposition |
| US5230822A | Cites | United States of America | Opposition |
| US5253759A | Cites | United States of America | Opposition |
| US5323906A | Cites | United States of America | Opposition |
| US5346068A | Cites | United States of America | Opposition |
| WO9117383A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Opposition |
| WO9217381A2 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Opposition |
| WO9412071A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Opposition |
| WO9603871A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Opposition |
| WO9700282A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Opposition |
| WO9727743A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Opposition |
| EP0414462A | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | – |
| EP0593952A1 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | – |
| EP0132726A2 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | – |
| WO9117383A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | – |
| WO9412071A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | – |
| WO9603871A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | – |
| WO9700282A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | – |
| WO9727743A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | – |
| WO9217381A2 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | – |
| DE19537671A1 | Cites | Germany | – |
| GB2187748A | Cites | United Kingdom | – |
| GB2254857A | Cites | United Kingdom | – |
| US4082678A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US4522738A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US4776455A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US4973416A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US5222595A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US5230822A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US5253759A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US5323906A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US5346068A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| US5351831A | Cites | United States of America | – |
| 'Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering', vol. 11, 1988 page 278 | Non-patent | – | – |
| 'Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Edition', vol. 19, 1996 page 308 | Non-patent | – | – |
| D.B.EDWARDS: 'Packaging of pesticides and potentially hazardous chemicals for consumer use', 1995, ISBN 1-85082-102-2 | Non-patent | – | – |
| "Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering", vol. 11, 1988, pages: 278 | Non-patent | – | Opposition |
| "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Edition", vol. 19, 1996, pages: 308 | Non-patent | – | Opposition |
| D.B.EDWARDS: "Packaging of pesticides and potentially hazardous chemicals for consumer use", 1995, ISBN: 1-85082-102-2 | Non-patent | – | Opposition |
20 members in 13 offices
Priority claims3
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0018055 | United Kingdom | – | |
| 0018055 | United Kingdom | A | |
| 0123202 | United States of America | W |
Members20
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0018055D0 | United Kingdom | D0 | |
| CA2412433A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO0208380A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| AU8071301A | Australia | A | |
| GB2365018A | United Kingdom | A | |
| US2002077264A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| EP1303585A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| MXPA03000709A | Mexico | A | |
| BR0112692A | Brazil | A | |
| CN1444644A | China | A | |
| JP2004504449A | Japan | A | |
| US6727215B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP1303585B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| AT310799T | Austria | T | |
| ATE310799T1 | Austria | T1 | |
| DE60115244D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| ES2252271T3 | Spain | T3 | |
| DE60115244T2 | Germany | T2 | |
| EP1303585B2This record | European Patent Office (EPO) | B2 | |
| ES2252271T5 | Spain | T5 |
79 legal events, as 7 offices reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal feeCeasedGBPC | GBPC | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Announcement of lapse in spainLapsedFD2A | FD2A | ES | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Notification of lapseLapsedST | ST | FR | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]GrantedPGFP | PGFP | EP | |
| Discontinued in the netherlands as no translation has been filedVDEP | VDEP | NL | |
| Patent modifiedDC2A | DC2A | ES | |
| Patent maintained in amended form27A | 27A | EP | |
| Designated contracting statesAK | AK | EP | |
| Patent maintained in amended formORIGINAL CODE: 0009272PUAH | PUAH | EP | |
| Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patentGrantedSTATUS: PATENT MAINTAINED AS AMENDEDSTAA | STAA | EP | |
| Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]GrantedPGFP | PGFP | EP | |
| Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]GrantedPGFP | PGFP | EP | |
| Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]GrantedPGFP | PGFP | EP | |
| Appeal procedure closedAppealORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA9OAPBU | APBU | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Be: lapsedLapsedBERE | BERE | EP | |
| Date of receipt of statement of grounds of appeal recordedAppealORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA3OAPBQ | APBQ | EP | |
| Appeal reference modifiedAppealORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNOAPAH | APAH | EP | |
| Appeal reference recordedAppealORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREFNOAPBM | APBM | EP | |
| Date of receipt of notice of appeal recordedAppealORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA2OAPBP | APBP | EP | |
| Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]GrantedPGFP | PGFP | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]GrantedPGFP | PGFP | EP | |
| Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]GrantedPGFP | PGFP | EP | |
| Reply to examination report in opposition receivedOppositionORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE3PLBC | PLBC | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Examination report in opposition despatched + time limitOppositionORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE2PLAY | PLAY | EP | |
| Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modifiedOppositionORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPOPLAB | PLAB | EP | |
| Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modifiedOppositionORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPOPLAB | PLAB | EP | |
| Reply to examination report in opposition receivedOppositionORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE3PLBC | PLBC | EP | |
| Examination report in opposition despatched + time limitOppositionORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE2PLAY | PLAY | EP | |
| Nl: opposition has been filed with the epoOppositionNLR1 | NLR1 | EP | |
| Nl: opposition has been filed with the epoOppositionNLR1 | NLR1 | EP | |
| Opposition filed (corrected)OppositionR26 | R26 | EP | |
| Opposition filed (corrected)OppositionR26 | R26 | EP | |
| Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modifiedOppositionORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPOPLAB | PLAB | EP | |
| Patent lapsedLapsedMM4A | MM4A | IE | |
| Information related to reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition modifiedOppositionORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCOBS3PLAK | PLAK | EP | |
| Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition receivedOppositionORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3PLBB | PLBB | EP | |
| Information modified related to communication of a notice of opposition and request to file observations + time limitOppositionORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCOBS2PLAF | PLAF | EP | |
| Nl: opposition has been filed with the epoOppositionNLR1 | NLR1 | EP | |
| Nl: opposition has been filed with the epoOppositionNLR1 | NLR1 | EP | |
| Opposition filedOpposition26 | 26 | EP | |
| Opposition filedOpposition26 | 26 | EP | |
| Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sentOppositionORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2PLAX | PLAX | EP | |
| Opposition filedOppositionORIGINAL CODE: 0009260PLBI | PLBI | EP | |
| Fr: translation filedET | ET | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Patent ceasedCeasedPL | PL | CH | |
| Definitive protectionFG2A | FG2A | ES | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| European patents granted designating irelandGrantedFG4D | FG4D | IE | |
| Corresponds to:REF | REF | EP | |
| European patent takes effect as a national patent in ch/liEP | EP | CH | |
| Designated contracting statesAK | AK | EP | |
| European patent grantedGrantedFG4D | FG4D | GB | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]LapsedPG25 | PG25 | EP | |
| (expected) grantORIGINAL CODE: 0009210GRAA | GRAA | EP | |
| Grant fee paidORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3GRAS | GRAS | EP | |
| Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patentORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1GRAP | GRAP | EP | |
| First examination report despatched17Q | 17Q | EP | |
| Request for examination filed17P | 17P | EP | |
| Designated contracting statesAK | AK | EP | |
| Request for extension of the european patentAX | AX | EP | |
| Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phaseORIGINAL CODE: 0009012PUAI | PUAI | EP |
Numbers
- Publication
- 1303585
- Application
- 19591262
Titles3
- German
- ARTIKEL ENTHALTEND EINGESCHLOSSENE ZUSAMMENSETZUNGEN
- English
- ARTICLES CONTAINING ENCLOSED COMPOSITIONS
- French
- ARTICLES RENFERMANT DES COMPOSITIONS
Classification
- CPC, 5
- C11D17/042
- B65D75/38
- C11D3/39
- C11D3/3947
- C11D17/045
- IPC, 9
- C11D17 04
- B65D81 00
- B65D81 32
- B65D65 46
- B65D75 38
- B65D77 04
- C11D3 39
- C11D17 06
- C11D17 08
Designated states20
- Contracting states, 20
- Austria
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- Cyprus
- Germany
- Denmark
- Spain
- Finland
- France
- United Kingdom
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Monaco
- Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Türkiye