Container for use in a washing process
The present invention provides a deformable water soluble or water dispersible outer pouch containing a detergent composition, the detergent composition comprising at least one phase in solid form and at least one liquid phase with at least one solid phase predominantly surrounded by a liquid phase. The pouches exhibit good physical and chemical stability and can also provide for sequential release of its ingredients.
1 . A detergent pouch product comprising:
a flexible outer pouch; and
a detergent composition contained in the pouch;
wherein the detergent composition comprises at least one phase in solid form and at least one liquid phase; and
wherein at least one phase in solid form is predominantly surrounded by a liquid phase.
2 . The pouch product according to claim 1 , wherein at least one phase in solid form is a detergent tablet.
3 . The pouch product according to claim 1 , wherein at least one phase in solid form has a covering.
4 . The pouch product according to claim 1 , wherein the volume ratio of the total phases in solid form to the total liquid phases is in the range of from 10:1 to 1:5.
5 . The pouch product according to claim 1 , wherein at least one phase in solid form is fully surrounded by a liquid phase.
6 . The pouch product according to claim 1 , wherein a liquid phase comprises a surfactant.
7 . The pouch product according to claim 6 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and a combination of one or more such surfactants.
8 . The pouch product according to claim 6 , wherein the surfactant comprises a C12-15-(6-10)-EO-(3-5)PO nonionic surfactant.
9 . The pouch product according to claim 1 , wherein a liquid phase comprises a polymer.
10 . The pouch product according to claim 9 , wherein the polymer comprises random, branched ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers having a molar ratio of EO:PO units in the range of from 10:1 to 1:1.
11 . The pouch product according to claim 1 , wherein the pouch has a vent extending from the interior of the pouch to the outside of the pouch.
12 . (canceled)
13 . A detergent pouch product comprising:
a flexible water soluble or water dispersible outer pouch; and
a detergent composition contained in the pouch;
wherein the detergent composition comprises at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase; and
wherein at least one solid phase is predominantly surrounded by a liquid phase.
14 . The pouch product according to claim 13 , wherein the pouch is formed by a film having a thickness of between 40 μm to 150 μm.
15 . The pouch product according to claim 13 further comprising a venting system communicating the interior of the pouch to outside of the pouch.
16 . The pouch product according to claim 13 , wherein the total liquid phase is in direct contact with at least 80% of the inner surface area of the outer pouch.
17 . The pouch product according to claim 13 , wherein a liquid phase comprises a C12-15-(6-10)-EO-(3-5)PO nonionic surfactant.
18 . The pouch product according to claim 13 , wherein a liquid phase comprises random, branched ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers having a molar ratio of EO:PO units in the range of from 10:1 to 1:1.
19 . The pouch product according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase comprise the following constituents in the following % wt:
% wt based on the wt of
tablet + liquid phase
Tablet formulation (solid phase)
Sodium Percarbonate
10.5
Sodium tripolyphosphate
38.0
Sodium carbonate
16.9
Sodium bicarbonate
3.0
Polyethylenglycol 1500
3.0
Polyethylenglycol 6000
2.6
TAED
3.1
HEDP
0.2
C 16 -C 18 Fattyalcohol Ethoxylate
1.9
Amylase
0.6
Protease
1.3
Sulfonated co-polymer (AA: AMPS)
5.0
Liquid phase;
statistical EO-PO polymer 4:1 ratio,
3.5
MW 20,000 g/mol (available as P41/12000
ex Clariant)
Total weight of tablet and liquid phase
100.0
20 . A method of washing items to be cleaned comprising contacting the detergent pouch of claim 13 with water in the presence of items to be cleaned.
21 . A method of washing items to be cleaned comprising contacting the detergent pouch of claim 19 with water in the presence of items to be cleaned.