FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Water-soluble film and unit dose article made therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water-soluble films comprising water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol homo- and/or copolymers have been known for a long time and have been used in many applications.

One of the possible application fields of such water-soluble films are water-soluble laundry unit dose detergent articles. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the water-soluble unit dose article comprises a water-soluble film and a unitized dose of a treatment composition which is housed within one or more compartments within the unit dose article. Upon addition to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and/or disintegrates and releases the treatment composition into the water.

Of importance, is to ensure such water-soluble unit dose articles dissolve effectively under conditions of use, i.e. when added to water there is a desire that the water-soluble unit dose article dissolves completely leaving minimal unwanted residues on fabrics and in the wash liquor. This is even more important under cold and quick and low water wash conditions which are increasingly favoured by consumers as such wash conditions are more environmentally friendly since they use less energy. Films made of caseinate polymers provide such effective dissolution. However, an issue with such caseinate films is there is a tendency for them to have poor mechanical strength profile.

Therefore, there is a need for a water-soluble film having improved mechanical strength properties as compared to caseinate polymer film, but which exhibits acceptable dissolution characteristics especially in cold and quick and low water wash conditions. There is also a need for a water-soluble unit dose article comprised with such films.

It was surprisingly found that the film according to the present invention comprising a polymeric blend of an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and caseinate polymer overcome this technical challenge. In addition, partial replacement of polyvinyl alcohol resin by caseinate polymeric resin also increases the bio-derived content inside of water-soluble film compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention is a water-soluble film, wherein the water-soluble film comprises a water-soluble polymer, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises a blend of a caseinate polymer and an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer.

A second aspect of the present invention is a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble film according to the present invention, a treatment composition and at least one internal compartment, wherein the treatment composition is contained within the at least one compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Water-Soluble Film

A first aspect of the present invention is a water-soluble film. The water-soluble film comprises a water-soluble polymer, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises a blend of a caseinate polymer and an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer. The caseinate polymer is described in more detail below and the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer is described in more detail below.

The water-soluble film of the present invention is soluble or dispersible in water. The water-soluble film preferably has a thickness of between 30 μm and 100 μm, preferably between 50 μm and 90 μm, most preferably between 60 μm and 85 μm.

Preferably, the water-soluble film has a water-solubility of at least 50%, preferably at least 75% or even at least 95%, as measured by the method set out here after using a glass-filter with a maximum pore size of 20 microns:

5 grams±0.1 gram of film material is added in a pre-weighed 3 L beaker and 2 L±5 ml of distilled water is added. This is stirred vigorously on a magnetic stirrer, Labline model No. 1250 or equivalent and 5 cm magnetic stirrer, set at 600 rpm, for 30 minutes at 30° C. Then, the mixture is filtered through a folded qualitative sintered-glass filter with a pore size as defined above (max. 20 micron). The water is dried off from the collected filtrate by any conventional method, and the weight of the remaining material is determined (which is the dissolved or dispersed fraction). Then, the percentage solubility or dispersability can be calculated.

Preferably, the weight ratio of caseinate polymer to the anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer is between 10:90 and 90:10, preferably between 20:80 and 70:30, more preferably between 25:75 and 60:40, most preferably between 30:70 and 50:50. Preferably, the weight percentage of the caseinate polymer and the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer add up to 100% by weight of the polymeric resin in the water-soluble film. The skilled person in the art will know how to prepare the polymeric resin and each individual polyvinyl alcohol polymer.

The water-soluble polymer may be present between 50% and 95%, preferably between 55% and 90%, more preferably between 60% and 80% by weight of the film.

Preferably, the water-soluble film comprises a non-aqueous plasticizer. Preferably, the non-aqueous plasticizer is selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, and mixtures thereof. Suitable polyols include polyols selected from the group consisting of glycerol, diglycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethyleneglycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycols up to 400 MW, neopentyl glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, trimethylolpropane and polyether polyols, or a mixture thereof. Suitable sugar alcohols include sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of isomalt, maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, adonitol, dulcitol, pentaerythritol and mannitol, or a mixture thereof. More preferably the non-aqueous plasticizer is selected from glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, trimethylolpropane, triethyleneglycol, polyethyleneglycol, sorbitol, or a mixture thereof, most preferably selected from glycerol, sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, dipropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. One particularly suitable plasticizer system includes a blend of glycerol, sorbitol and trimethylol propane. Another particularly suitable plasticizer system includes a blend of glycerin, dipropylene glycol, and sorbitol. Preferably, the film comprises between 5% and 50%, preferably between 10% and 40%, more preferably between 20% and 30% by weight of the film of the non-aqueous plasticizer.

Preferably, the water-soluble film according to the invention comprises a surfactant. Preferably, the water-soluble film comprises a surfactant in an amount between 0.1% and 2.5%, preferably between 1% and 2% by weight of the water-soluble film. Suitable surfactants can include the nonionic, cationic, anionic and zwitterionic classes. Suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to, polyoxyethylenated polyoxypropylene glycols, alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, tertiary acetylenic glycols and alkanolamides (nonionics), polyoxyethylenated amines, quaternary ammonium salts and quaternized polyoxyethylenated amines (cationic s), and amine oxides, N-alkylbetaines and sulfobetaines (zwitterionic s). Other suitable surfactants include dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propylene glycol, lactylic esters of fatty acids, sodium alkyl sulfates, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 65, polysorbate 80, lecithin, acetylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propylene glycol, and acetylated esters of fatty acids, and combinations thereof.

Preferably the water-soluble film according to the invention comprises lubricants/release agents. Suitable lubricants/release agents can include, but are not limited to, fatty acids and their salts, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, fatty amines, fatty amine acetates and fatty amides. Preferred lubricants/release agents are fatty acids, fatty acid salts, and fatty amine acetates. the amount of lubricant/release agent in the water-soluble film is in a range of from 0.02% to 1.5%, preferably from 0.1% to 1% by weight of the water-soluble film.

Preferably, the water-soluble film comprises fillers, extenders, antiblocking agents, detackifying agents or a mixture thereof. Suitable fillers, extenders, antiblocking agents, detackifying agents or a mixture thereof include, but are not limited to, starches, modified starches, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, crosslinked cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, metallic oxides, calcium carbonate, talc and mica. Preferred materials are starches, modified starches and silica. Preferably, the amount of filler, extender, antiblocking agent, detackifying agent or mixture thereof in the water-soluble film is in a range of from 0.1% to 25%, preferably from 1% to 10%, more preferably from 2% to 8%, most preferably from 3% to 5% by weight of the water-soluble film. In the absence of starch, one preferred range for a suitable filler, extender, antiblocking agent, detackifying agent or mixture thereof is from 0.1% to 1%, preferably 4%, more preferably 6%, even more preferably from 1% to 4%, most preferably from 1% to 2.5%, by weight of the water-soluble film.

Preferably the water-soluble film according to the invention has a residual moisture content of at least 4%, more preferably in a range of from 4% to 15%, even more preferably of from 5% to 10% by weight of the water-soluble film as measured by Karl Fischer titration.

Preferably the water-soluble film according to the invention comprises an aversive agent, preferably a bittering agent. Suitable bittering agents include, but are not limited to, naringin, sucrose octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, denatonium benzoate, or mixtures thereof. Any suitable level of aversive agent may be used in the film. Suitable levels include, but are not limited to, 1 ppm to 5000 ppm, or even 100 ppm to 2500 ppm, or even 250 ppm to 2000 rpm in reference to the water-soluble film.

The water-soluble film according to the invention may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The water-soluble film according to the invention may comprise a printed area. The area of print may be achieved using standard techniques, such as flexographic printing or inkjet printing.

The water-soluble film or water-soluble unit dose article according to the invention or both may be coated with a lubricating agent. Preferably, the lubricating agent is selected from talc, zinc oxide, silicas, siloxanes, zeolites, silicic acid, alumina, sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium citrate, potassium tripolyphosphate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, starch, modified starches, clay, kaolin, gypsum, cyclodextrins or mixtures thereof.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, water-soluble films made from just polyvinylalcohol exhibit excellent mechanical strength but have inferior dissolution properties as compared to caseinate polymer films.

It was surprisingly found that the films according to the present invention provided the benefit of improved mechanical strength as compared to caseinate polymer films, but also improved dissolution as compared to polyvinylalcohol films.

In addition, it was surprisingly found that the films according to the present invention exhibited a better compatibility with liquid detergent composition, as compared to a pure caseinate polymer film. This ensures reduced instances of premature pouch rupture under compression.

Furthermore, as compared to pouches made from pure polyvinylalcohol films, unit dose articles made using films according to the present invention exhibited improved stain removal performance on particulate/clays stains on fabrics.

Also, unit dose articles made using the films according to the present invention exhibited improved freshness benefit on fabrics following the wash as compared to fabrics washed using unit dose articles having films solely made from polyvinylalcohol.

Caseinate Polymer

Casein is a protein derived from milk which is relatively insoluble in water. It is often obtained by precipitation following addition of an acid to milk (casein acid) or rennet (rennet casein). Caseinate is defined as a salt of casein; its counterion typically selected from the group consisting of calcium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and sodium, or mixtures thereof, most preferably sodium.

The water-soluble film according to the present invention comprises a water-soluble polymer comprising a blend of caseinate polymer and an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer wherein the caseinate polymer is preferably selected from alkaline metal salts of caseinate, more preferably sodium caseinate.

While it is stated the polymer according to the present invention comprises caseinate, in practice this caseinate will be a mixture of caseinate and casein impurity. The relative weight ratio of the casein impurity to caseinate being a function of the pH of the water-soluble film. Therefore, when caseinate is stated herein, this encompasses pure sodium caseinate as well as levels of casein impurity.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, casein consists of a(s1)-, a(s2)-, β- and κ-casein. Like any protein, casein is made up of hundreds of individual amino acids, each of which may have a positive or a negative charge, depending on the pH of the surrounding system. At some pH value, all the positive charges and all the negative charges on the casein remain in balance (i.e., the net charge on the protein is zero); this pH value is known as the isoelectric point (IEP), which is 4.6 for casein. The IEP is the pH at which the protein is least soluble. Therefore, to make the casein soluble it is used in the caseinate form, as the alkali conditions make the casein soluble.

Anionic Polyvinyl Alcohol Copolymer

The water-soluble film comprises an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the term “homopolymer” generally includes polymers having a single type of monomeric repeating unit (e.g., a polymeric chain consisting of or consisting essentially of a single monomeric repeating unit). For the particular case of polyvinylalcohol, the term “homopolymer” includes polymers having a distribution of vinyl alcohol monomer units and optionally vinyl acetate monomer units, depending on the degree of hydrolysis (e.g., a polymeric chain consisting of or consisting essentially of vinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate monomer units). In the limiting case of 100% hydrolysis, a polyvinylalcohol homopolymer can include a true homopolymer having only vinyl alcohol units.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the term “copolymer” generally includes polymers having two or more types of monomeric repeating units (e.g., a polymeric chain consisting of or consisting essentially of two or more different monomeric repeating units, whether as random copolymers, block copolymers, etc.). For the particular case of polyvinylalcohol, the term “copolymer” (or “polyvinylalcohol copolymer”) includes copolymers having a distribution of vinyl alcohol monomer units and optionally vinyl acetate monomer units, depending on the degree of hydrolysis, as well as at least one other type of monomeric repeating unit (e.g., a ter- (or higher) polymeric chain consisting of or consisting essentially of vinyl alcohol monomer units, vinyl acetate monomer units, and one or more other monomer units, for example anionic or further nonionic monomer units). In the limiting case of 100% hydrolysis, a polyvinylalcohol copolymer can include a copolymer having vinyl alcohol units and one or more other monomer units, but no vinyl acetate units.

The anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer preferably comprises an anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer or a mixture thereof, or a blend of an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. Preferably, the water-soluble film comprises a single anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer or a blend of a single polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and a single polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, wherein the anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer is preferably selected from sulphonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers especially carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers. By ‘single’ we herein mean a single sourced polymer material wherein that single sourced polymer material includes a natural distribution as the consequence of its making process, such as molecular weight distribution, degree of hydrolysis distribution and degree of anionic modification distribution where applicable.

Most preferably the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer is a blend of a polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer. Alternatively, the polyvinylalcohol comprises an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, most preferably a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer. When the anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer in the water soluble film is a blend of a polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and the carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer are present in a relative weight ratio of 90/10 to 10/90, preferably 80/20 to 20/80, more preferably 70/30 to 50/50. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the term “anionic copolymer” includes copolymers having an anionic monomer unit comprising an anionic moiety. General classes of anionic monomer units which can be used for the anionic polyvinyl alcohol co-polymer include the vinyl polymerization units corresponding to monocarboxylic acid vinyl monomers, their esters and anhydrides, dicarboxylic monomers having a polymerizable double bond, their esters and anhydrides, vinyl sulfonic acid monomers, and alkali metal salts of any of the foregoing. Examples of suitable anionic monomer units include the vinyl polymerization units corresponding to vinyl anionic monomers including vinyl acetic acid, maleic acid, monoalkyl maleate, dialkyl maleate, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, maleic anyhydride, fumaric acid, monoalkyl fumarate, dialkyl fumarate, monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, fumaric anyhydride, itaconic acid, monomethyl itaconate, dimethyl itaconate, itaconic anhydride, vinyl sulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, ethylene sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-1-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-methylacrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-sufoethyl acrylate, alkali metal salts of the foregoing (e.g., sodium, potassium, or other alkali metal salts), esters of the foregoing (e.g., methyl, ethyl, or other C1-C4 or C6 alkyl esters), and combinations thereof (e.g., multiple types of anionic monomers or equivalent forms of the same anionic monomer). The anionic monomer may be one or more acrylamido methylpropanesulfonic acids (e.g., 2-acrylamido-1-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-methylacrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid), alkali metal salts thereof (e.g., sodium salts), and combinations thereof. Preferably, the anionic moiety of the first anionic monomer unit is selected from a sulphonate, a carboxylate, or a mixture thereof, more preferably a carboxylate, most preferably an acrylate, a methacrylate, a maleate, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the anionic monomer unit is present in the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer in an average amount in a range of between 1 mol. % and 10 mol. %, preferably between 2 mol. % and 5 mol. %, as measured through ¹H-NMR. Preferably, the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and/or in case of anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer-polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer blends the individual polyvinyl alcohol polymers, have an average viscosity (μl) in a range of between 4 mPa·s and 30 mPa·s, preferably between 10 mPa·s and 25 mPa·s, measured as a 4% polyvinyl alcohol copolymer solution in demineralized water at 20 degrees C. The viscosity of a polyvinyl alcohol polymer is determined by measuring a freshly made solution using a Brookfield LV type viscometer with UL adapter as described in British Standard EN ISO 15023-2:2006 Annex E Brookfield Test method. It is international practice to state the viscosity of 4% aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solutions at 20° C. It is well known in the art that the viscosity of an aqueous water-soluble polymer solution (polyvinyl alcohol or otherwise) is correlated with the weight-average molecular weight of the same polymer, and often the viscosity is used as a proxy for weight-average molecular weight. Thus, the weight-average molecular weight of the polyvinyl alcohol can be in a range of 30,000 to 175,000, or 30,000 to 100,000, or 55,000 to 80,000. Preferably, the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and/or in case of anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer-polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer blends the individual polyvinyl alcohol polymers, have an average degree of hydrolysis in a range of between 75% and 99%, preferably between 80% and 95%, most preferably between 85% and 95%. A suitable test method to measure the degree of hydrolysis is as according to standard method JIS K6726.

Suitable anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers could be obtained from Kuraray and Nippon Gohsei companies.

Preferably, the water soluble polymer is present at 60% to 80% by weight of the water-soluble film according to the invention and consists of a mixture of sodium caseinate polymer and an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer in a 30:70 to 50:50 weight ratio, in which the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer has the anionic monomer unit present in the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer in an average amount in a range of between 2 mol. % and 5 mol. %, has an average percentage degree of hydrolysis of from 85% to 95% and an average viscosity of from 10 to 25 mPas as measured as a 4% aqueous solution in demineralized water at 20° C. Preferably the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer consists of a single anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, more preferably a carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer. Alternatively the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer consists of a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, preferably a carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and the carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer are present in a relative weight ratio of 70/30 to 50/50.

Method of Making Film

The water-soluble film according to the invention may be formed by admixing, co-casting, or welding the caseinate polymer and the anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer according to the types and amounts described herein, together with the preferred and optional secondary additives described herein. If the polymers are first admixed then the water-soluble film is preferably formed by casting the resulting admixture (e.g., along with other plasticizers and other additives) to form a film. If the polymers are welded, the water-soluble film can be formed by, for example, solvent or thermal welding. Another aspect is characterized by the water-soluble film being formed by extrusion, for example, blown extrusion. Most preferably the water-soluble films according to the invention are prepared by solvent casting.

Water-Soluble Unit Dose Article

A further aspect of the present invention is a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble film according to the present invention, a treatment composition and at least one internal compartment, wherein the treatment composition is contained within the at least one compartment. The treatment composition is described in more detail below.

The water-soluble unit dose article comprises the water-soluble film shaped such that the unit-dose article comprises at least one internal compartment surrounded by the water-soluble film. The unit dose article may comprise a first water-soluble film and a second water-soluble film sealed to one another such to define the internal compartment. The water-soluble unit dose article is constructed such that the treatment composition does not leak out of the compartment during storage. However, upon addition of the water-soluble unit dose article to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and releases the contents of the internal compartment into the wash liquor.

The compartment should be understood as meaning a closed internal space within the unit dose article, which holds the detergent composition. During manufacture, a first water-soluble film may be shaped to comprise an open compartment into which the treatment composition is added. A second water-soluble film is then laid over the first film in such an orientation as to close the opening of the compartment. The first and second films are then sealed together along a seal region.

The unit dose article may comprise more than one compartment, even at least two compartments, or even at least three compartments. The compartments may be arranged in superposed orientation, i.e. one positioned on top of the other. In such an orientation the unit dose article will comprise three films: top, middle and bottom. Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e. one orientated next to the other. The compartments may even be orientated in a ‘tyre and rim’ arrangement, i.e. a first compartment is positioned next to a second compartment, but the first compartment at least partially surrounds the second compartment but does not completely enclose the second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment.

Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the compartments may be smaller than the other compartment. Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least three compartments, two of the compartments may be smaller than the third compartment, and preferably the smaller compartments are superposed on the larger compartment. The superposed compartments preferably are orientated side-by-side.

Preferably, the water-soluble unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, preferably at least three compartments, even more preferably at least four compartments, most preferably wherein the water-soluble unit dose article comprises a first compartment and at least a second compartment superposed onto the first compartment, more preferably at least a third compartment orientated side-by-side with respect to the second compartment and the second compartment and the third compartments are superposed onto the first compartment, even more preferably at least a fourth compartment orientated side-by-side with respect to the second compartment and third compartment and the second compartment, the third compartment and the fourth compartments are superposed onto the first compartment.

In a multi-compartment orientation, the detergent composition may be comprised in at least one of the compartments. It may for example be comprised in just one compartment, or may be comprised in two compartments, or even in three compartments, or even in all available compartments.

Each compartment may comprise the same or different compositions. The different compositions could all be in the same form, or they may be in different forms.

The water-soluble unit dose article may comprise at least two internal compartments, wherein the detergent composition is comprised in at least one of the compartments, preferably wherein the unit dose article comprises at least three compartments, wherein the detergent composition is comprised in at least one of the compartments.

The water-soluble unit dose article according to the invention may comprise at least one water-soluble film according to the invention. Alternatively, the water-soluble unit dose article according to the invention may comprise at least two or even at least three water-soluble films according to the invention. Alternatively, the water-soluble unit dose article according to the invention solely comprises water-soluble films which are according to the invention, i.e. not comprising any water-soluble films outside the scope of the invention. Preferably, water-soluble mono-compartment unit dose articles or water-soluble multi-compartment unit dose articles in which the multiple compartments are in a side by side configuration are created in which both the bottom and top water-soluble films enclosing the individual compartment(s) are water-soluble films according to the invention. Alternatively, either the top or the bottom water-soluble film is according to the invention. Water-soluble unit dose articles may be created with compartments in a superposed configuration. Under this configuration each of the top, bottom and middle water-soluble film(s) can be water-soluble films according to the invention. Alternatively, one, for example, solely the middle water-soluble film or solely the top water-soluble film or solely the bottom water-soluble film, or a combination of any of these water-soluble films can be a water-soluble film according to the invention while the remaining water-soluble film(s) is (are) outside the scope of the invention. Preferably, all water-soluble films comprised within the water-soluble unit dose article are water-soluble films according to the invention. These water-soluble films according to the invention could be chemically and physically the same, or alternatively could be chemically and/or physically different. By “different” we mean the first water-soluble film is intended to have at least one chemical and/or physical characteristic different to that of the second water-soluble film. This characteristic can be by selecting a different polymeric resin, the polymeric resin for example varying in average individual polymer solution viscosity, average individual polymer degree of hydrolysis, ratio between the first and the second water-soluble polymers, or mixtures thereof. ‘Targeted averages’ take into consideration the standard polymer variation inherent to any manufacture process. Alternatively, this characteristic can be by varying the relative content of the individual components inside the water-soluble film such as polymeric resin to plasticizer content or water content, or even varying the exact chemistry of the additives. The “different” characteristic is assessed for the starting films prior to deformation, e.g. differences in water-soluble film content as a consequence of a deformation action, exposure to encapsulated detergent composition resulting in exchange of actives between film and the detergent composition, as well as actives exchange with surrounding storage environment are excluded in this assessment.

FIG. 1 discloses a water-soluble unit dose article (1) according to the present invention. The water-soluble unit dose article (1) comprises a first water-soluble film (2) and a second water-soluble film (3) which are sealed together at a seal region (4). The detergent composition (5) is comprised within the water-soluble soluble unit dose article (1).

Treatment Composition

The treatment composition may be selected from laundry detergent composition, laundry softening composition, automatic dishwashing composition, hard surface cleaning composition or a mixture thereof, preferably a laundry detergent composition, preferably the treatment composition is a liquid, a powder, or a mixture thereof, preferably a liquid composition.

The term liquid includes a gel, a solution, a dispersion, a paste or a mixture thereof.

By powder we herein mean the treatment composition may comprise solid particulates or may be a single homogenous solid. Preferably, the powder treatment composition comprises particles. This means the powder treatment composition comprises individual solid particles as opposed to the solid being a single homogenous solid. The particles may be free-flowing or may be compacted, preferably free-flowing.

Preferably, the treatment composition is a laundry detergent composition, most preferably a liquid laundry detergent composition.

The laundry detergent composition can be used in a fabric hand wash operation or may be used in an automatic machine fabric wash operation, preferably an automatic machine fabric wash operation.

Preferably, the treatment composition comprises a non-soap surfactant, wherein the non-soap surfactant comprises an anionic non-soap surfactant and a non-ionic surfactant. Preferably, the treatment composition comprises between 10% and 60%, more preferably between 20% and 55% by weight of the treatment composition of the non-soap surfactant.

The weight ratio of non-soap anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant may be from 1:1 to 20:1, preferably from 1.5:1 to 17.5:1, from 2:1 to 15:1, or from 2.5:1 to 13:1.

Preferably, the non-soap anionic surfactant comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, alkyl sulphate or a mixture thereof. The weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate to alkyl sulphate is from 1:2 to 9:1, preferably from 1:1 to 7:1, more preferably from 1:1 to 5:1, most preferably from 1:1 to 4:1.

Exemplary linear alkylbenzene sulphonates are C₁₀-C₁₆alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, or C₁₁-C₁₄alkyl benzene sulfonic acids. By ‘linear’, we herein mean the alkyl group is linear. Alkyl benzene sulfonates are well known in the art.

The alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise alkoxylated alkyl sulphate or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulphate or a mixture thereof. The alkoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant preferably is an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant.

The alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant, preferably with a mol average degree of ethoxylation from 1 to 5, more preferably from 1 to 3, most preferably from 2 to 3.

The alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise a non-ethoxylated alkyl sulphate and an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate wherein the mol average degree of ethoxylation of the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant is from 1 to 5, more preferably from 1 to 3, most preferably from 2 to 3.

The alkyl fraction of the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant can preferably be derived from fatty alcohols, oxo-synthesized alcohols, guerbet alcohols, or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the treatment composition comprises between 10% and 50%, more preferably between 15% and 45%, even more preferably between 20% and 40%, most preferably between 30% and 40% by weight of the treatment composition of the non-soap anionic surfactant.

Preferably, the non-ionic surfactant is selected from alcohol alkoxylate, an oxo-synthesised alcohol alkoxylate, Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, alkyl phenol alcohol alkoxylates or a mixture thereof.

The treatment composition preferably comprises between 0.01% and 10%, preferably between 0.01% and 8%, more preferably between 0.1% and 6%, most preferably between 0.15% and 5% by weight of the treatment composition of a non-ionic surfactant.

Preferably, the treatment composition comprises between 1.5% and 20%, more preferably between 2% and 15%, even more preferably between 3% and 10%, most preferably between 4% and 8% by weight of the treatment composition of soap, preferably a fatty acid salt, more preferably an amine neutralized fatty acid salt, wherein preferably the amine is an alkanolamine more preferably selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or a mixture thereof, more preferably monoethanolamine.

Preferably, the treatment composition is a liquid treatment composition, more preferably the liquid treatment composition comprises less than 15%, more preferably less than 12%, even more preferably from 1% to 12%, most preferably from 5% to 12% by weight of the liquid treatment composition of water.

Preferably, the treatment composition is a liquid treatment composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent selected from 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, tripropyleneglycol, glycerol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the liquid treatment composition comprises between 10% and 40%, preferably between 15% and 30% by weight of the liquid treatment composition of the non-aqueous solvent.

Preferably the treatment composition comprises a perfume.

Preferably, the treatment composition comprises an adjunct ingredient selected from the group comprising builders including enzymes, citrate, bleach, bleach catalyst, dye, hueing dye, brightener, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and polyethyleneimines, soil release polymer, surfactant, solvent, dye transfer inhibitors, chelant, encapsulated perfume, polycarboxylates, structurant, pH trimming agents, and mixtures thereof.

Those skilled in the art will know how to formulate and make a suitable treatment composition using known knowledge and techniques. The treatment composition may comprise common detergent ingredients including surfactants, polymers, bleach, enzymes, perfumes, dyes, structing agents, fillers, water or a mixture thereof.

Those skilled in the art will be aware of known techniques to make a water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention.

Examples

The following is an exemplary water-soluble unit dose formulation. The composition can be part of a single chamber water soluble unit dose article or can be split over multiple compartments resulting in below “averaged across compartments” full article composition. The below composition is enclosed using polyvinyl alcohol-based water soluble film, more specifically water soluble film comprising a blend of a caseinate polymer and an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer according to the invention.

TABLE 1

Composition

Ingredients
1 (wt %)

Fatty alcohol ethoxylate non-ionic surfactant, C_12-14
3.8

average degree of ethoxylation of 7

Lutensol XL100
0.5

Linear C_11-14alkylbenzene sulphonate
24.6

AE3S Ethoxylated alkyl sulphate with an average degree
12.5

of ethoxylation of 3

Citric acid
0.7

Palm Kernel Fatty acid
5.3

Nuclease enzyme* (wt % active protein)
0.01

Protease enzyme (wt % active protein)
0.07

Amylase enzyme (wt % active protein)
0.005

Xyloglucanese enzyme (wt % active protein)
0.005

Mannanase enzyme (wt % active protein)
0.003

Ethoxylated polyethyleneimine
1.6

Amphiphilic graft copolymer
2.6

Zwitterionic polyamine
1.8

Anionic polyester terephthalate
0.6

HEDP
2.2

Brightener 49
0.4

Silicone anti-foam
0.3

Hueing dye
0.05

1,2 PropaneDiol
12.3

Glycerine
4.7

DPG (DiPropyleneGlycol)
1.7

TPG (TriPropyleneGlycol)
0.1

Sorbitol
0.1

Monoethanolamine
10.2

K2SO3
0.4

MgCl2
0.3

water
10.8

Hydrogenated castor oil
0.1

Perfume
2.1

Aesthetic dye & Minors
Balance to 100

pH (10% product concentration in demineralized water
7.4

at 20° C.)

*Nuclease enzyme is as claimed in co-pending European application 19219568.3

The following is a multi-compartment water-soluble unit dose laundry article comprising a larger bottom compartment while having two smaller compartments in a side by side configuration superposed on top of the bottom compartment, following the Ariel 3-in-1 Pods design, as commercially available in the UK in January 2020. The below compositions are enclosed using polyvinyl alcohol-based water-soluble film, more specifically water soluble film comprising a blend of a caseinate polymer and an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer according to the invention.

TABLE 2

Bottom
Top
Top

Full article
compartment
compartment
compartment

Composition
Composition
Composition
Composition

Ingredients
(wt %)
(wt %)
1 (wt %)
2 (wt %)

Volume
25.5 ml
22.3 ml
1.6 ml
1.6 ml

Fatty alcohol ethoxylate non-ionic
3.5
3.7
2.6
1.6

surfactant, C_12-14average degree

of ethoxylation of 7

Lutensol XL100
0.4
0.5
—
—

Linear C_11-14alkylbenzene sulphonate
24.2
24.9
18.9
19.4

AE3S Ethoxylated alkyl sulphate with
12.3
12.6
9.7
9.7

an average degree of ethoxylation of 3

Citric acid
0.7
0.7
0.5
0.5

Palm Kernel Fatty acid
5.2
5.4
4.1
4.1

Nuclease enzyme* (wt % active protein)
0.009
0.011
—
—

Protease enzyme (wt % active protein)
0.05
0.06
—
—

Amylase enzyme (wt % active protein)
0.004
0.005
—
—

Xyloglucanese enzyme (wt % active
0.005
—
0.073
—

protein)

Mannanase enzyme (wt % active protein)
0.003
0.003
—
—

Lipase enzyme (wt % active protein)
0.012
—
0.187
—

Ethoxylated polyethyleneimine
1.5
1.6
1.2
1.2

Amphiphilic graft copolymer
2.0
2.3
—
—

Zwitterionic polyamine
1.8
1.9
1.4
1.4

Anionic polyester terephthalate
0.4
—
—
5.8

HEDP
2.2
2.2
1.7
1.7

Brightener 49
0.3
0.4
0.01
0.01

Silicone anti-foam
0.3
0.3
—
—

Hueing dye
0.04
—
0.69
—

1,2 PropaneDiol
13.6
12.8
11.3
26.4

Glycerine
6.0
5.0
17.3
8.3

DPG (DiPropyleneGlycol)
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.6

TPG (TriPropyleneGlycol)
0.06
0.06
—
—

Sorbitol
0.6
0.05
8.8
—

Monoethanolamine
10.0
10.4
7.9
8.0

K2SO3
0.4
0.4
0.04
0.4

MgCl2
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2

water
10.9
10.9
11.8
9.9

Hydrogenated castor oil
0.1
0.1
—
0.1

Perfume
1.6
1.9
—
—

Aesthetic dye & Minors (incl.
Balance
Balance
Balance
Balance

preservative)
to 100
to 100
to 100
to 100

pH (10% product concentration
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4

in demineralized water at 20° C.)

*Nuclease enzyme is as claimed in co-pending European application 19219568.3

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention