Multi-chambered pouch

• US 20070167340A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Original Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Inventors: Barthel, Wolfgang, Fileccia, Salvatore, Jekel, Maren, Burg, Birgit, Duffels, Arno
• Granted Patent: US 7,446,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 510/220
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/042 Water soluble or water disintegrable containers or substrates containing cleaning compositions or additives for cleaning compositions

Abstract

A method for the production of multi-phase detergents or cleaning agents, comprising the production of a water-soluble or water-dispersible container; the filling of said container with detergents or cleaning agents; application of a separating layer and filling of said container with other detergents or cleaning agents. The method is characterized in that a liquid separating agent is applied in order to form the separating layer, said agent solidifying in order to form the separating layer; the amount of packaging material used is reduced and the number of method steps is also reduced. the invention is further characterized by optimized use of space in the packaging body.

Claims

1. The process for manufacturing multi-phase detergents or cleaning agents, comprising the steps of:

a) manufacturing a water-soluble or water-dispersible container;

b) filling the container with a first detergent or cleaning agent to form a first phase;

c) applying a liquid separation agent onto this first phase and hardening the separation agent to form a separation layer; and

d) filling the container with a second detergent or cleaning agent to form a second phase.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the liquid separation agent is a solution or a suspension, whose solvent content is less than 80 weight percent.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the liquid separation agent is a melt, whose melting point is less than 150°

C.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the liquid separation agent comprises an organic polymer.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the liquid separation agent comprises an inorganic or organic salt.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the content by weight of the separation agent, based on the total weight of the multi-phase detergent or cleaning agent that is packaged with a water-soluble or water-dispersible wrapping material forming the container is less than 10%.

7. The process according to claim 1, wherein the separation layer formed in step (c) has a thickness of between 1 and 1,000 μ

m.

8. The process according to claim 1, wherein the separation layer formed in step (c) is at least partially transparent or translucent.

9. The process according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the detergents or cleaning agents filled in steps (b) and (d) is a solid.

10. The process according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the detergents or cleaning agents filled in steps (b) and (d) is a liquid.

11. The process according to claim 1, wherein steps (c) and (d) are repeated.

12. The process according to claim 1, comprising an additional step (e) of sealing the filled container with a water-soluble film.

13. A multi-phased detergent or cleaning agent comprising:

a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible container made of a water-soluble or water-dispersible wrapping material; and

b) at least two phases of detergents or cleaning agents which are separated from one another and arranged beside and/or on top of the other and which are separated from one another by a separation layer made of a hardened liquid separation agent.

14. The multi-phased detergent or cleaning agent according to claim 13, wherein the separation layer is a solidified solution.

15. The multi-phased detergent or cleaning agent according to claim 13, wherein the separation layer has a thickness of between 1 and 1,000 μ

m.

16. The multi-phased detergent or cleaning agent according to claim 13, wherein the separation layer is at least partially transparent or translucent.

17. The multi-phased detergent or cleaning agent according to claim 13, wherein the phases of detergents or cleaning agents that are separated from one another are a solid and a liquid.

18. A multi-phased detergent or cleaning agent comprising a water-soluble or water-dispersible container made of a water-soluble or water-dispersible wrapping material further comprising at least one of plastisizers, slip agents, lubricants, and solubility enhancers.

19. A multi-phased detergent or cleaning agent of claim 18, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible wrapping material comprises at least 20 weight percent of a polyvinylalcohol whose degree of hydrolysis is 70 to 100 molar percent.

20. The multi-phased detergent or cleaning agent of claim 18, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible wrapping material includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of starch and starch derivatives, cellulose and cellulose derivatives, methylcellulose and mixtures thereof.