Portion unit of a cleaning agent

Abstract

A portion unit of a cleaning agent, having a cleaning agent composition and a chamber which receives the cleaning agent composition and includes a chamber wall that delimits the chamber and has a layer thickness D. The chamber includes a main volume and at least one auxiliary volume, and the cleaning agent composition can freely enter the at least one auxiliary volume from the main volume and vice versa, wherein the chamber wall is formed in a transition region between the main volume and the at least one auxiliary volume in a substantially stepped manner. The invention additionally relates to a method for producing such a portion unit.

Claims

1. A portion unit of a cleaning agent, comprising a cleaning agent composition and a chamber which receives the cleaning agent composition and comprises a chamber wall that delimits the chamber and has a layer thickness, the chamber comprising a main volume and at least one auxiliary volume, wherein the cleaning agent composition can freely enter the at least one auxiliary volume from the main volume and vice versa, and in that the chamber wall is formed in a transition region between the main volume and the at least one auxiliary volume in a substantially stepped manner, wherein the at least one auxiliary volume comprises a proportion of 1-30% of a total volume, consisting of the main volume and the at least one auxiliary volume, and wherein the entirety of the auxiliary volumes is shaped such that the auxiliary volumes have no mirror symmetry.

2. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary volume is designed as a protuberance in the chamber wall and the maximum height of the protuberance is at least five times the layer thickness of the chamber wall.

3. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 2, wherein the maximum height of the protuberance is at least ten times the layer thickness of the chamber wall.

4. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary volume comprises a proportion of 3-15% of the total volume.

5. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises two or more auxiliary volumes.

6. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 1, wherein the portion unit has a triangular or circular or rectangular main shape.

7. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 1, wherein the chamber wall comprises a water-soluble material.

8. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 7, wherein the water-soluble material comprises a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer.

9. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is filled with a plurality of cleaning agent compositions.

10. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 9, wherein the chamber is filled with a plurality of cleaning agent compositions of different dosage forms.

11. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 9, wherein the main volume is filled with a first cleaning agent composition having a first dosage form and the at least one auxiliary volume is filled with a further cleaning agent composition having a second dosage form which is different from the first.

12. The portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 1, wherein the portion unit is produced in a thermal vacuum thermoforming method.

13. A method for producing a portion unit of a cleaning agent according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: a.) preheating a first water-soluble film portion over a thermoforming mold, of which the bottom has at least one recess; b.) applying a negative pressure to the thermoforming mold, thereby sucking in the preheated film portion into the thermoforming mold and forming a receiving volume consisting of the first water-soluble film portion, wherein the receiving volume comprises a main volume and at least one auxiliary volume; c.) filling a cleaning agent composition into the receiving volume; d.) placing a cover element consisting of a second water-soluble film portion on the filled receiving volume; e.) welding the cover element to the receiving volume in an edge region by means of moisture and/or temperature such that the main volume and the at least one auxiliary volume can communicate with one another; f.) removing the portion unit from the thermoforming mold.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in greater detail below on the basis of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a portion unit according to the invention in perspective view;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a portion unit according to the invention in a sectional view;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an example of a thermoforming mold suitable for producing a portion unit according to the invention in schematic sectional view;

(5) FIGS. 4a-4e show exemplary embodiments of a portion unit according to the invention in schematic plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a portion unit according to the invention, generally designated 1, in a perspective view. The portion unit 1 comprises a chamber 2, in which a cleaning agent composition, not shown here, is contained. The chamber 2 is delimited by a chamber wall 3 which is made of a water-soluble plastics film. As will be explained in more detail in connection with the production method, the chamber wall 3 is made from two film portions, wherein the upper half of the portion unit 1 in the illustration in FIG. 1 is made from a first film portion, while the lower half of the portion unit 1, which is also referred to below as the cover element 14, in the illustration in FIG. 1 is made from a second film portion. The two film portions are welded together in the region of a sealing edge 11.

(7) The chamber wall 3 has a layer thickness D of 90 μm. The chamber 2 comprises a main volume 4 and three auxiliary volumes 5, 6 and 7. The cleaning agent composition contained in the chamber 2 can in principle enter the auxiliary volumes 5, 6 and 7 freely from the main volume 4 and vice versa, since the auxiliary volumes 5, 6 and 7 cannot be separated from the main volume 4 by a physical separating device, i.e. a wall or the like.

(8) This becomes clearer from the illustration in FIG. 2, which shows an exemplary embodiment of a portion unit 1 according to the invention in a sectional view. It is clear here that a cleaning agent composition accommodated in the chamber 2, not shown here, can in principle flow freely between the volumes 4, 5-7 (auxiliary volume 6 not shown in the sectional view according to FIG. 2), since no physical separating elements are provided between the main and the at least one auxiliary volume. Dashed lines between the main volume 4 and the auxiliary volumes 5-7 only indicate in which region the main volume 4 merges into the auxiliary volumes 5-7. The portion unit 1 according to the invention does not have any physical separation between the individual volumes 4-7 in these regions.

(9) The chamber wall 3 is formed in a transition region between the main volume 4 and the auxiliary volumes 5, 6 and 7 in a substantially stepped manner. This is also best seen in FIG. 2, in which the transition region between the main volume 4 and the auxiliary volumes 5-7 is identified in each case by A. Due to the stepped design of the chamber wall 3 in the transition regions A, the portion unit has a purely external appearance similar to that of a classic multi-chamber system, since the different partial volumes can be perceived as such. In particular, the auxiliary volumes 5-7 project spatially from the main volume 4, so that the outer walls of the auxiliary volumes 5-7 protrude proximally from the outer wall of the main volume.

(10) The auxiliary volumes 5, 6 and 7 are designed as protuberances in the chamber wall 3, the maximum height H of the protuberances in each case being more than 10 times the layer thickness D of the chamber wall 3.

(11) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary volumes 5, 6 and 7 together comprise approximately 10% of the total volume of the chamber 3, the total volume of the chamber 3 being composed of the main volume 4 and the auxiliary volumes 5, 6 and 7.

(12) The portion units shown can be produced in a thermoforming method. FIG. 3 shows a thermoforming mold 8 suitable for this in a basic sectional view. The thermoforming mold 8 has a bottom 9 which comprises at least one step-shaped recess 10 for each associated auxiliary volume. The thermoforming mold 8 shown here has only a single recess 10 in the bottom 9, so that it is suitable for producing a portion unit with only one auxiliary volume. In order to form a plurality of auxiliary volumes, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2, thermoforming molds are used which have a plurality of recesses 10 in the bottom region 9.

(13) A portion unit 1 is produced as follows: First, a first water-soluble film portion is inserted into a thermoforming mold 8, as is shown, for example, in FIG. 3, of which the bottom 9 has at least one step-shaped recess 10. The thermoforming mold 8 is then heated and a suppressor is applied. As a result, the film portion abuts the inside of the mold wall such that a receiving volume comprising a main volume 4 and at least one auxiliary volume 5, 6, 7 is formed. At least one cleaning agent composition is filled into the receiving volume. As already mentioned above, a plurality of, especially different, cleaning agent compositions, in particular also having different dosage forms, can preferably be filled in here. Since cleaning agent compositions having different, especially dimensionally stable dosage forms, such as solid, powder, gel, or wax cleaning agent compositions, usually do not mix within the portion unit 1, there is the possibility to equip the chamber 2 of the portion unit 1 with a plurality of zones of different cleaning agent compositions. For example, these zones of different cleaning agent compositions can be set in a targeted manner by appropriately skillful parallel or sequential filling of the chamber 2 of the portion unit 1, especially with cleaning agent compositions of different dosage forms. This is particularly effective if the main volume 4 and the at least one auxiliary volume 5-7 are filled with cleaning agent compositions of different dimensionally stable dosage forms. For example, the auxiliary volumes 5-7, depending on the application, can preferably be filled with solid, gel or wax cleaning agent compositions, while the main volume is filled with powder cleaning agent compositions. It proves to be advantageous first to fill the auxiliary volumes 5-7, depending on the application, preferably with solid, gel or wax cleaning agent compositions and only then to fill the main volume with powder cleaning agent compositions. Of course, depending on the particular application, the combination of a plurality of cleaning agent compositions with another, especially dimensionally stable dosage form is also conceivable. This also relates in particular to the distribution of other dosage forms over the main volume 4 and the individual auxiliary volumes 5-7. In particular, the filling of main volume 4 and auxiliary volumes 5-7 with cleaning agent compositions of different dimensionally stable dosage forms ensures a clean separation of the individual zones of different cleaning agent compositions within the portion unit 1. A cover element 14 made of a second water-soluble film portion is then placed on the filled receiving volume. In an edge region, the cover element 14 is welded to the receiving volume, so that a sealing edge 11 which can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed. The permeability between the main volume 4 and the at least one auxiliary volume 5, 6, 7 is not impaired by the welding in an edge region. Finally, the finished portion unit 1 is removed from the thermoforming mold. In this way, portion units with a particularly appealing appearance can initially be obtained. Furthermore, the individual zones of different cleaning agent compositions can be responsible for different effects of the portion unit. For example, each individual cleaning agent composition can be specifically designed to have certain cleaning effects for the overall cleaning effect. In addition, portion units according to the invention with a corresponding design of the chamber wall and filling with different, in particular dimensionally stable, cleaning agent compositions have a significantly increased strength of the entire portion unit.

(14) FIGS. 4a to 4e show exemplary embodiments of a portion unit 1 according to the invention in a schematic plan view. The portion unit 1 can have different main shapes in plan view. FIGS. 4a and 4b each show a circular main shape, while FIG. 4c has a rectangular, substantially square main shape. FIGS. 4d and 4e show examples of a triangular main shape of the portion unit 1. Regardless of the main shape of the portion unit 1, a different number of auxiliary volumes 5, 6, 7, 12 and 13 can be provided and these can be arranged and shaped differently. For example, the shape of an auxiliary volume can be drop-shaped or crescent-shaped. In this case, three or four drop-shaped or crescent-shaped auxiliary volumes 5, 6, 7, 13 can be provided, which are arranged around a further auxiliary volume 12 placed centrally in the middle. In other embodiments, the center can also remain free, as shown in FIG. 4a. Embodiments having only one or two auxiliary volumes are also possible. In order to ensure that the auxiliary volumes are optimally washed around by the water-based cleaning liquor when used in a washing machine or dishwasher, the auxiliary volumes are preferably shaped and arranged such that, in their entirety, they have no mirror symmetry whatsoever. Individual auxiliary volumes, such as auxiliary volume 12 in FIGS. 4b and 4c, can certainly have mirror symmetry, but all the auxiliary volumes are preferably not mirror-symmetrical.

(15) Using a comparative example, the advantages of the portion unit according to the invention compared to portion units known from the prior art are exemplified below.

(16) In a first step, two liquids A and B were produced. A liquid phase of composition A was produced from the following ingredients:

(17) TABLE-US-00001 Ingredient wt. % Polypropylene glycol 8.2 Glycerol 10.5 Optical brightener 0.6 Linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 22.0 C13/15 oxo alcohol having 8 EO 24.0 Monoethanolamine for saponification 6.0 C12-18 soap 7.5 Polyethyleneimine polymer 6.0 DTPMPA 7Na 0.7 Ethanol 3.0 Soil release polymer 1.4 Perfume 1.7 Dye 0.01 Water 8.39

(18) Recipe composition A contains 8.39 wt. % water from additive and raw materials, and all the listed ingredients as active substances.

(19) A liquid phase of composition B was produced from the following ingredients:

(20) TABLE-US-00002 Ingredient wt. % Polypropylene glycol 7.8 Glycerol 10.1 Linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 17.6 C13/15 oxo alcohol having 8 EO 24.0 Monoethanolamine for saponification 4.8 C12-18 soap 6.0 Polyethyleneimine polymer 6.0 DTPMPA 7Na 0.7 Ethanol 3.0 Soil release polymer 1.4 Perfume 1.7 Enzyme mixture (protease, mannanase, 8.5 amylase, cellulase) Dye 0.01 Water 8.39

(21) Recipe composition B contains 8.39 wt. % water from direct additives and the raw materials with the exception of the enzyme mixture. The water content of the enzyme mixture was not taken into account. All ingredient information is available as an active substance with the exception of the enzyme mixture, here a total of 8.5% of the commercially available enzyme solutions was added as a mixture.

(22) In a subsequent step, different water-soluble portion units C2, C3, E1, E2 were produced and filled with the liquids A and B. The water-soluble film Aicello Solublon GA from the provider Aicello was used as the material for the chamber wall of the portion units for all different portion units. The individual film thicknesses and dimensions of the portion units are listed in the table below.

(23) 1. Production of water-soluble portion units C2 and C3:

(24) C2 and C3 are each designed as double chamber portion units, in which two separate chambers are arranged next to one another. The portion units C2 and C3 were produced from two film portions in a double chamber cavity at a thermoforming temperature of 102° C. and a sealing temperature of 150° C. 16.5 g of the liquid A was introduced into the first chamber and 8.5 g of the liquid B into the second chamber.

(25) 2. Production of water-soluble portion units E1 and E2 according to the invention:

(26) E1 and E2 are each single-chamber portion units having a main volume and at least one auxiliary volume according to the present invention. The portion units E1 and E2 were produced from two film portions in a mold with a stepped bottom region at a thermoforming temperature of 102° C. and at a sealing temperature of 150° C. 25 g of the liquid AB was introduced into the single chamber, the liquid AB containing the liquids A and B in a ratio of 2:1 (A:B=2:1).

(27) In addition, a further commercially available portion unit C1 (Tide Pods 3:1 from Procter & Gamble, manufactured on 12 Jun. 2017) was used for the comparative example, which is designed as a compact multi-chamber system, in which two further separate chambers on a base chamber are arranged above the base chamber. The portion unit C1 is formed from three PVA film portions and is filled with a total of 24.8 g of a cleaning agent composition, of which 21.4 g is received by the base chamber and 1.7 g is received by the two chambers arranged on the base chamber.

(28) The table below shows the test parameters in comparison.

(29) TABLE-US-00003 C1 3 Chambers C2 2 Chambers C3 2 Chambers E1 1 Chamber E2 1 Chamber on top of one next to one next to one with auxiliary with auxiliary Portion unit another another another volume volume Filling 24.8 g (21.4 g + 25.0 g (16.5 g + 25.0 g (16.5 g + 25.0 g 25.0 g  quantity 2 × 1.7 g) 8.5 g) 8.5 g) Dimensions 50 × 40 mm 65 × 58 mm 65 × 58 mm 54 × 58 mm 54 × 58 mm Film 240 μm total 75 μm (cover 70 μm (cover 75 μm (cover 70 μm (cover thickness (2 layers of element) and element) and element) and element) and 75 μm and 90 μm 90 μm 90 μm 90 μm 1 layer of (receiving (receiving (receiving (receiving 90 μm) volume) volume) volume) volume) Film weight 0.8 g 0.9 g 0.86 g 0.75 g 0.7 g

(30) First, the mechanical properties of the portion units C1, C2, C3, E1, E2 were tested in a pressure test at 25 repetitions each. The portion units for the measurement were conditioned for 24 hours at 23±1° C. and 50±2% relative humidity. A Zwick Roell pressure testing machine was used for the measurement. The portion unit was positioned with the largest surface on the lower plate and subjected to a pressure of 300 N for 30 seconds. (Pressure ramp 250 mm/min). In the pressure test, all samples C1, C2, C3, E1, E2 showed equally good mechanical properties; all 25 out of 25 samples achieved compressive strengths of over 300 Nm.

(31) Furthermore, the solubility of the individual sachets was determined and compared in various tests, first in a laboratory test at 2 temperatures in a beaker and in a practical test inside a washing machine.

(32) As part of the laboratory test, the solubility of the portion units was generally determined with 25 repetitions; both the time of the first product release and the time until the entire portion unit was completely dissolved were detected. Specifically, 1 liter of distilled water at a temperature of 20±1° C. was placed in a 2-liter beaker in a first test cycle. The sachets were placed in the water and, if necessary, fixed under the water surface with a tripod clamp to create comparable conditions. The time until the first product outlet was recorded (the first release of a cleaning agent composition was assessed in several chambers). As part of a second test cycle, 1 liter of distilled water was placed in a 2-liter beaker, but at a higher temperature of 28±1° C. The sachets were placed in the water and, if necessary, held under the surface of the water with a tripod clamp to create comparable conditions. It was gently stirred with a stir bar at 200 revolutions per minute. The time was recorded until no visible film components could be seen in the beaker.

(33) Average values of the 25 individual tests are given below as results.

(34) Results of laboratory test:

(35) The first product release took place in the laboratory test after the first test cycle for all samples in all 25 repetitions after more than 30 s. The complete dissolution of the respective portion units within the second test cycle took place after the following times (average values from 25 repetitions):

(36) C1: 4:55 minutes

(37) C2: 4:38 minutes

(38) C3: 4:25 minutes

(39) E1: 4:22 minutes

(40) E2: 4:14 minutes

(41) The complete dissolution of the portion units E1 and E2 according to the invention thus took place significantly faster (on average at least 10 seconds) than in the comparative samples C2-C3 with the same film type and the same layer thickness and considerably faster than in the comparative sample C1 (on average at least 30 seconds).

(42) In addition, the samples were subjected to a practical test inside a washing machine with regard to possible product residues. The previously described samples C1, C2, C3, E1, E2 which had aged for 6 weeks at room temperature were also used for this. The washing machine test was run with all samples with 25 repetitions. The result was assessed after a washing time of 10 minutes and after the washing program had ended. The washing machine test was carried out in detail in a Miele W1714 washing machine; a 30° C. cotton program was selected as the program. The program ran for 2 hours and 5 minutes, the washing machine was loaded with 3.5 kg of cotton laundry. The portion units C1, C2, C3, E1, E2 were initially positioned under the laundry.

(43) The washing machine test delivered the following results: C1: After 10 minutes of washing, residues were found in 7 out of 25 repetitions and after the washing program ended in 3 out of 25 repetitions. C2: After 10 minutes of washing, residues were found in 8 out of 25 repetitions and after the washing program ended in 4 out of 25 repetitions. C3: After 10 minutes of washing, residues were found in 6 out of 25 repetitions, after the washing program had ended in 2 out of 25 repetitions. E1: After 10 minutes of washing, residues were found in 4 of 25 repetitions, and none of the 25 repetitions after the end of the washing program. E2: After 10 minutes of washing, residues were found in 5 of 25 repetitions, and none of the 25 repetitions after the end of the washing program.

(44) Residues of the cleaning agent composition or film residues were found in the slot of the rubber sleeve or on the rubber sleeve in the region of the loading hatch of the washing machine for all sample variants.

(45) In comparison, the portion units E1, E2 according to the invention thus showed the best residue values in the washing machine test, in particular they were the only sample variants that showed no product and/or film residues after the end of the washing program.