MACHINE DISHWASHER CAPSULE WITH THREE COMPARTMENTS

Abstract

A laundry or machine dish wash product capsule comprising a first compartment containing a first component, a second compartment containing a second component, and a third compartment containing a third component, wherein each of the first compartment and second compartment are separated from each other in a sealing plane.

Claims

1. A machine dishwasher capsule 10 comprising: a first compartment 11 containing a first component, a second compartment 12 containing a second component, and a third compartment 13 containing a third component, wherein each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment are separated from each other in a sealing plane; and wherein the third compartment is larger than each of the first and second compartments; wherein the third compartment has a generally semi-circular shape, wherein a straight line portion of the semi-circular compartment is located on a side of the capsule and extends between two adjacent corners of the capsule, and wherein the first component comprises a first liquid content, the second component comprises a second liquid content and the third component comprises a powder content.

2. (canceled)

3. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein the first liquid content contains a surfactant and a builder.

4. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein the second liquid content contains a surfactant and a polymer.

5. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second compartments have a generally polygonal shape.

6. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein at least two of the first compartment, second compartment and third compartment have a different volume.

7. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein the capsule is form of water soluble film.

8. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein each of a weight of the first compartment and a weight of the second compartment is 1.5 grams or more.

9. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein each of the first compartment, the second compartment and third compartment extends at maximum a first distance, a second distance and a third distance, respectively, above the sealing plane, being the first distance and the second distance substantially equal, and the third distance greater that the second distance.

10. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 8, wherein each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment extends at maximum a fourth distance below the sealing plane.

11. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 9, wherein the first distance and the fourth distance are substantially equal.

12. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartments are arranged in a non-overlapping arrangement with respect to the sealing plane.

13. The machine dishwasher capsule of any of claim 1, wherein the sealing area between the first compartment and the second compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment, and the first compartment and the third compartment has a width from 0.1 to 3 mm.

14. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment are configured to stack with an adjacent capsule of the same configuration.

15. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second compartments have a a generally triangular shape.

16. The machine dishwasher capsule of claim 13, wherein the sealing area between the first compartment and the second compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment, and the first compartment and the third compartment has a width from 0.1 to 2 mm.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0087] The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting embodiments and with reference to the drawings, of which:

[0088] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a machine dishwasher capsule with three compartments according to an embodiment of the current invention;

[0089] FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the machine dishwasher capsule;

[0090] FIG. 2B shows a front view of the dishwasher capsule;

[0091] FIG. 2C shows a back side view of a machine dishwasher capsule;

[0092] FIG. 2D shows a left side view of a machine dishwasher capsule;

[0093] FIG. 2E shows a right view of a machine dishwasher capsule; and

[0094] FIG. 3 is a top view of a machine dishwasher capsule with three compartments according to another embodiment.

[0095] Coordinate axes in the x, y and z direction are shown in each figure to assist in the explanation of the relative arrangement of features of the capsule. FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2E are discussed here to aid understanding of the subsequent discussion of the shape and configuration of the capsule with three compartments.

[0096] The capsule described herein is especially suitable for application in a machine dishwashing process because this process benefits highly from the option to include benefit agents for the rinse cycle in a second phase, which can be incorporated into the capsule. This means that the capsule includes one or more water soluble ingredients or components which aid in or enhance cleaning dishes, particularly in a dishwashing machine. For example, the components forming the capsule may aid in better cleaning, cleaner appearance after rinsing, minimizing spot or film formation, etc. The capsule is formed of a number of different components, each component for aiding in one or more parts of a dishwashing cycle.

[0097] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a machine dishwasher capsule 10 according to the current invention. The machine dishwasher capsule 10 includes a first compartment 11, a second compartment 12 and a third compartment 13. Each of the compartments 11, 12, 13 defines a tight and hermetically sealed chamber containing a part of a detergent composition. The compartments are arranged adjacent one another, as will be described in more detail in relation to FIGS. 2A-2E.

[0098] FIG. 2A shows a plan view the machine dishwasher capsule 10, FIG. 2B shows a front view of the machine dishwasher capsule 10; FIG. 2C shows a back side view of the machine dishwasher capsule 10; FIG. 2D shows a left side view of the machine dishwasher capsule 10; and FIG. 2E shows a right view of the machine dishwasher capsule 10.

[0099] Each compartment 11, 12, 13 of the machine dishwasher capsule 10 is defined between the upper and lower layers of a water-soluble film, and is sealed around its respective periphery by the sealing of the two layers of film around. The upper and lower film layers are also sealed together around the three compartments to form a sealing perimeter 25 extending around all of the compartments 11, 12, 13. In capsule 10, this sealing perimeter 25 forms a square outer edge. Alternatively, other forms may equally be applied for example various shapes composed of curved or straight lines or combinations thereof for example triangle, rectangle, hexagonal, round, square or elliptical to form the sealing perimeter.

[0100] The sealing web 20 is formed from fusing, e.g. thermoforming, a first and second sheet of water-soluble film during manufacture of the capsule. The sealing web 20 comprises the sealing perimeter 25 that lies in the x-y plane and is referred to herein as the sealing plane. The linear dimensions of the sealing perimeter 25 define the width and the length of the capsule 10.

[0101] Preferable, the maximum linear dimension of the length is 45 mm and the width is 40 mm. Other embodiments could have a linear dimension of length and width of suitably ≥20 mm, ≥30 mm. In some embodiments the maximum linear dimension is ≤50 mm, suitably ≤40 mm, ≤30 mm. In some embodiments, the length and width of the capsule 10 would not be the same, resulting in a rectangular capsule.

[0102] In the embodiment shown, each of the three compartments 11, 12, 13 are arranged in a non-overlapping arrangement with respect to the sealing plane, so that it is possible to form the sealing web using only two sheets of water-soluble film. This leads to a low complexity and reduced production cost of the capsule.

[0103] The sealing web 20 also comprises three internal sealing webs 21, 22, 23. These are also in the sealing plane and extend across the capsule so as to define the inwardly-facing side edges 15, 16 of the first compartment 11, the inwardly-facing side edges 17, 18 of the second compartment 12 and the inwardly-facing side edge 19 of the third compartment 13. Thus the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12 are connected to each other, with the internal chambers separated from one another by the first internal sealing web 21; the second compartment 12 and the third compartment 13 are connected to each other, with the internal chambers separated from one another by the second internal sealing web 22; and the first compartment 11 and the third compartment 13 are connected to each other, with the internal chambers separated from one another by the third internal sealing web 23. The internal sealing webs 21, 22, 23 typically separate one compartment from one another by a minimum linear distance defined in the sealing plane of 3 mm or less, preferable 2 mm or less. This can be more or less in some cases depending on the fill of the capsule, components used in the capsule, intended use, etc.

[0104] In the embodiment shown, the third compartment 13 is generally semi-circular in the sealing plane, and is located in a side of the capsule 10 of which the outwardly-facing side edge extends between two adjacent corners of the capsule 10.

[0105] In the embodiment shown, the at least one of the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12 are each generally triangular in plan view, and are each located in proximity to at least a corner of the capsule 10. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the first compartment 11′ and/or the second compartment 12′ could be generally polygonal in the sealing plane, preferable a generally four-side polygon.

[0106] The second compartment 12 has two outwardly-facing side edges, located on both sides of one corner of the capsule 10, and one inwardly-facing side edge that extends in a first portion generally parallel to the semi-circular side edge of the third compartment 13 and in a second portion generally parallel to one inwardly-facing side edge of the first compartment 11. The first compartment 11 has one outwardly-facing side edge, extending between two adjacent corners of the capsule 10, and two inwardly-facing side edges, one inwardly-facing side edge extending generally parallel to the semi-circular side edge of the third compartment 13 and the other one inwardly-facing side edge extending generally parallel to the inwardly-facing side edge of the second compartment 12.

[0107] Reference herein to depth of a feature, or to a feature being, or extending, “above” or “below” is a reference to the dimension (direction, axis) in the z direction, i.e. perpendicular to the sealing plane (x-y plane). Naturally, the terms “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, etc. are relative not absolute terms and they are used accordingly herein, and to aid understanding.

[0108] Each of the first compartment 11, the second compartment 12, and the third compartment 13 extends above the sealing plane such that the part of each compartment that is furthermost from the sealing plane, in a direction perpendicular to the sealing plane is referred to herein as the first distance (d1), the second distance (d2), and the third distance (d3), respectively; wherein d1 is ≤20 mm, ≤12 mm, or ≤8 mm; d2 is ≤20 mm, ≤12 mm, or ≤8 mm; and d3 is ≤40 mm, ≤30 mm, ≤20 mm, or ≤12 mm.

[0109] Each of the three compartments 11, 12, 13 extends below the sealing plane such that the part of each compartment that is furthermost from the sealing plane, in a direction perpendicular to the sealing plane is referred to herein as the fourth distance (d4), wherein d4 is 5-9 mm.

[0110] In the embodiment shown, the third distance (d3) is greater than the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2). Further the third distance (d3) is greater than the fourth distance (d4). The first distance (d1) is substantially equal to the second distance (d2). The first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) could differ in some embodiments. The second distance (d2) and the fourth distance (d4) are substantially equal. Other embodiments, could have the second distance (d2) greater than the fourth distance (d4). Further the maximum distance below the sealing plane could differ between compartments in some embodiments.

[0111] Each of the compartments 11, 12, 13 of the machine dishwasher capsule 10 contains a part of a machine dishwasher detergent. In the current invention, the first compartment 11 contains a first component 31, the second compartment 12 contains a second component 32, and the third compartment 13 contains a third component 33. The first component 31 is a first liquid content, the second component 32 is a second liquid content and the third component 33 is a powder or granule content. For example, the first liquid content 31 can contain a surfactant and a builder and the second liquid content 32 can contain a surfactant and a polymer.

[0112] Hereinafter, the first volume (V1) denotes the detergent volume which can be held in the first compartment 11, the second volume (V2) denotes the detergent volume which can be held in the second compartment 12, and the third volume (V3) denotes the detergent volume which can be held in the third compartment 13.

[0113] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2E, the third compartment 13 is configured to hold a larger volume (V3) of detergent product than each of the first and second compartments 11, 12. The second compartment 12 is configured to hold a larger volume (V2) of detergent composition than the first compartment 11, V3>V2>V1. Other embodiments could have the first and second compartment holding a substantially equal volume, V3>V2=V1, as shown in FIG. 3. Since in machine dishwashing the amounts used of each ingredient can be different, this configuration can improve the distribution or segregation of the detergent in different compartments by filling them with different and varied ingredients. In the case of having the liquid compartments relatively the same volume or liquid dosage, the manufacture process of the capsule can be more efficient. By having the liquid compartments relatively the same volume and next to each other gives the capsule more flexibility and durability than if they were separated by the powder compartment.

[0114] Each of the compartments 11, 12, 13 comprises at least one of alkalinity sources, builders, bleaching systems, anti-scalants polymers, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, antifoams, sheeting polymers, enzymes, perfume and minor compounds.

[0115] The volume of the third compartment 13 is such that the weight of the powder compound is at least 7 grams, preferable 10 grams. Each liquid compound weighs substantially at least 1.5 grams, preferable 2.7 grams. By having the liquid compound a medium weight, that is, a weigh above approximately 2 grams, the compartments containing the liquid compounds can contain a variety of ingredients, as a surfactant, a builder and a polymer.

[0116] By forming capsule 10 with first, second and third compartments 11, 12, 13 separated by a sealing plane; capsule 10 is able to deliver three different components to a washing operation in a compact and reliable form. The use of a sealing plane provides for a stable separation of the interior of compartments and results in a flexible capsule that takes up less volume in a package. The compartments 11, 12, 13 are efficiently shaped to ensure proper amounts of components are able to be stored and delivered while minimized the overall size of capsule 10. Providing capsule 10 with three compartments 11, 12, 13 allowing for the use of three different components can result in a more targeted and/or effective cleaning operation than past capsules or tablets that only included one or two components. For example, three separate components targeting a specific situation, e.g., heavy use pots and pans, could be included in capsule 10 making it more effective toward its targeted substrate.

[0117] In another embodiment, the capsule 10 is stackable with an adjacent capsule. The first compartment 11, the second compartment 12 and the third compartment 13 of the capsule 10 are configured to stack with the adjacent capsule of the same configuration.

[0118] By having different maximum distances (d1, d2, d3) extending above the sealing plane, a natural cavity is formed between the first compartment 11, the second compartment 12 and the third compartment 13. The cavity is located between two planes parallel to and above the sealing plane, a first plane at a distance equal to the third distance (d3) and a second plane at a distance equal to the greatest distance between the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2). Being the third distance (d3) greater than the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2), the third compartment 13 sticks out the second plane until the first plane, forming a bulge.

[0119] When the cavity of the capsule 10 is stacked with the third compartment bulge of the adjacent capsule, the capsule 10 and adjacent capsule fit together complementary, allowing minimal wasted space in between when stacking. Other considerations, such as the distances of the bulge in each compartment, shape of compartments, size and configuration of sealing lines, etc. can be configured to promote the stacking.

[0120] Example of Detergent Composition

[0121] An example of the composition of the first liquid content, the second liquid content and the power content is given hereinafter. The configuration of the capsule with segregated compartments improve the stability of ingredients. Further, performance of perfume is better when the perfume is part of the ingredients in at least one of the liquid chambers, i.e. the first liquid content composition or the second liquid content composition.

[0122] The first compartment 11 of a machine dishwasher capsule 10, as described by the first liquid content composition below, weighing substantially 2.7 grams.

TABLE-US-00001 Ingredient wt % Tetrasodium dicarboxymethyl glutamate 45.43 water 16.91 Acrylic/sulphonic copolymer 14.20 Citric acid 7.49 Non-ionic surfactant 3.41 Sorbitol 2.83 Minor ingredients Up to balance

[0123] A second compartment 12 of a machine dishwasher capsule 11, as described by the second liquid content composition below, weighing substantially 2.7 grams.

TABLE-US-00002 Ingredient wt % Tetrasodium dicarboxymethyl glutamate 45.43 water 16.91 Acrylic/sulphonic copolymer 14.20 Citric acid 7.49 Amylase enzyme 5.30 Non-ionic surfactant 3.41 Sorbitol 2.83 Perfume 0.40 Minor ingredients Up to balance

[0124] The third compartment 13 of a machine dishwasher capsule 10 comprising a powder content, as described by the composition below, weighing substantially 10 grams.

TABLE-US-00003 Ingredient wt % Sodium carbonate 26.00 Sodium percarbonate (bleach) 23.00 Trisodium Citrate 11.40 Acrylic/sulphonic copolymer 5.11 Mixture of TAED and MnCat (bleach catalysis) 5.00 Protease enzyme 5.00 Minor ingredients Up to balance

[0125] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.