RU2810792C1 - Dishwasher capsule with three compartments - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: product for washing or machine washing dishes.

SUBSTANCE: dishwasher capsule comprises a first compartment containing a first component, a second compartment containing a second component, a third compartment containing a third component, each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment being separated from each other by a seal plane; the third compartment is larger than each of the first and second compartments; the third compartment has a generally semicircular shape, with a straight portion of the semicircular compartment located on the side of the capsule and extending between two adjacent corners of the capsule, the first component containing a first liquid content, the second component containing a second liquid content, and the third component containing a powder content.

EFFECT: invention provides an improved layout of capsule compartments and protection of the integrity of the capsule.

13 cl, 3 dwg, 1 ex

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to a capsule containing three compartments, in particular for use in a household dishwasher.

Prerequisites for creating the invention

Multi-compartment water-soluble detergent capsules are typically made from a water-soluble film such as polyvinyl alcohol. The preferred capsule manufacturing process involves thermoforming the film. Thermoforming is a process in which the first sheet of film undergoes a molding process to form depressions in the film. The process involves heating the film to soften it, then applying a vacuum to hold the film in the molds. The recesses are then filled. The capsules are completed by placing a second sheet over the filled recesses and adhering it to the first sheet of film along the edges of the recesses to form a flat sealing web.

Each multi-compartment water-soluble detergent capsule compartment contains a different portion of the cleaning composition, and the compartments are connected to and separated from each other by at least one flat sealing zone. One compartment may contain the liquid portion of the detergent composition, and the other compartment may contain the granular portion of the composition. One of these detergent pods has a large rectangular compartment surrounding a small circular compartment. Another of these detergent capsules is a two-compartment “stacked” capsule having a smaller liquid compartment and a larger powder compartment. Another detergent pod shows two thermoformed "pods" forming a multi-compartment pod, with the first "pod", having at least two smaller liquid compartments connected to each other by folding flat seams, then used to seal the larger one departments.

Capsules with multiple compartments are suitable for supplying main wash compositions to automatic washing machines and even hand washes. Although a multi-compartment configuration is more difficult to produce than a single-compartment configuration, it may be selected because the components of the detergent composition must be mixed at the point of use and/or have reduced stability when stored together. This can also add aesthetic appeal to the capsule, as different compartments can be filled with different colored contents. In general, the formulator would like to keep the number of compartments to a minimum to avoid complexity and additional costs.

The present application and the proposals contained herein are directed to solving one or more of the problems noted above and/or to providing improved compartment-capsule arrangements, particularly in relation to consumer experience and maintaining capsule integrity.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, the present application provides a dishwasher pod comprising a first compartment containing a first component, a second compartment containing a second component, and a third compartment containing a third component, each of the first compartment, the second compartment, and the third compartments being separated from each other. seal plane.

Another aspect of the invention provides at least two of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment having different volumes.

Another aspect of the invention provides that each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment extends a maximum of a first distance below the sealing plane. In addition, the first compartment and the second compartment extend a maximum of a second distance above the sealing plane, and the third compartment extends a maximum of a third distance above the sealing plane, the third distance being greater than the second distance. Optionally, the first distance and the second distance are substantially equal.

Another aspect of the invention provides a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment located without overlap with respect to the sealing plane.

Another aspect of the invention provides a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment configured to be stacked with an adjacent capsule of the same configuration.

The capsules according to the invention are suitable for use in any application, such as machine dishwashing or laundry processes. The invention has been found particularly suitable for use in a machine dishwashing process because the process greatly benefits from the ability to include beneficial agents for wash and rinse cycles in different compartments.

The dishwasher capsule according to the invention contains a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment. The first compartment may contain a first liquid content, the second compartment may contain a second liquid content, and the third compartment may contain a powder content. In other embodiments, the compartments may contain different contents, for example, two powder contents and one liquid content, all liquid contents, etc.

Thermoforming process

The dishwasher capsule is produced by thermoforming. Such a process may preferably include the following capsule formation steps:

(a) placing a first sheet of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film onto a mold containing the cavities;

(b) heating and applying a vacuum to the film to mold the film into the cavity and hold it in place to form corresponding depressions in the film;

(c) filling various parts of the detergent composition, each of which may have a different color/opacity (as well as a different processing function), into the recesses, the parts together forming a complete detergent composition;

(d) welding a second sheet of film to the first sheet of film across the formed recesses to form a capsule having three compartments separated from each other by a continuous internal sealing strip;

(e) cutting the capsules to form a row of capsules with three compartments, each capsule containing a portion of the detergent composition in three compartments (eg, one larger compartment and two relatively medium-sized compartments).

Sealing may be accomplished by any suitable method, such as heat sealing, solvent or UV sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or a combination of any (eg, two) of these. Particularly preferred is a hydraulic seal. Hydraulic sealing can be accomplished by applying moisture to the second sheet of film before it is sealed with the first sheet of film to form a sealing area.

Capsule

In the context of the invention, the terms "wrap" and "film" are used interchangeably. In one embodiment, the entire capsule may be coated or film-wrapped. The film may be a water-soluble film. It is highly preferable that the film be at least partially transparent so that the contents can be seen. Thus, the consumer will not miss the visible signal provided by the first, second and third contents of the capsule. Preferably the entire film is transparent. It is not necessary that there are prints on the film, for example. pictures, letters and/or words.

The film is preferably a flexible film, as opposed to rigid self-containing containers. The flexible film preferably surrounds the capsule so that there is little room for any movement within or between the compartments.

It is clear that the volume of the film should be such that it does not interfere with its placement in the dispenser of the washing device or in the container or packaging.

The film may be made from a water-soluble film material or at least partially water-soluble film material. The water-soluble material has the advantage that the multi-component tablet can be used directly in the wash. The desired degree of solubilization and strength can be achieved by selecting the type of material and its thickness so that the desired solubilization time is achieved while maintaining the desired strength. It is also preferable that the film material be deformable under heating conditions.

Water-soluble materials that can be used to form water-soluble films are widely described in the literature and include, for example, polyetheramides, polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl alcohol-methacrylate copolymers, polyethylene oxide, alginates, cellulose ethers such as carboxymethylcellulose and methylcellulose, starches and starch derivatives, gelatin and any combination thereof. The film is preferably a polyvinyl alcohol film and more preferably has a thickness of less than 100 microns in the finished capsule.

The compartments are typically thermoformed, where the underlying film is heated first and then held in shape by a vacuum while the compartments are filled. The powder and/or granular portions of the composition are preferably filled into one or more compartments before any liquid portions of the composition are filled into the remaining compartment(s). The advantage of this is that any spilled solid material can be removed from the liquid compartment(s) and sealed areas before the liquid compartment(s) are filled.

In an embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher capsule contains three compartments.

In one embodiment, the compartment typically has a semicircular shape in planar projection. The straight portion of the semicircular compartment is located on the side of the capsule and extends between two adjacent corners of the capsule. Generally semicircular means that the top view of the shape is half or part of a circle. This is achieved by using a semi-circular cross-section of the separation mold. Reducing the tension of the formed capsule after it is removed from the mold can change the release, for example changing the semi-oval cross-section to become closer to a fully oval cross-section. In either case, the cross section remains substantially uniform because the relaxation is substantially uniform.

In an embodiment, the at least one compartment is typically triangular in planar shape and is located in a corner of the capsule. In some cases, the compartment may span two or three corners of the capsule if the capsule is square or rectangular. Typically triangular means that the top view of the shape is triangular in shape, but may have rounded corners, for example. Alternatively, the first compartment and/or the second compartment may be generally polygonal in planar projection. These shapes are achieved by using different mold cross sections for each compartment.

The sealing zone 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 sufficient to provide a seal between the compartments, for example, from 0.1 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.1 to 2 mm.

Preferably, the third compartment is larger than each of the first and second compartments.

Each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment is separated from each other by a sealing plane. This seal plane is typically located at the center of the cross section of each of the compartments (i.e., they extend above and below the seal plane by substantially the same distance), although in some embodiments it may be offset from the center (e.g., the maximum distance above the seal is greater than the maximum distance below the compaction plane). This can be achieved, for example, by using different shapes and/or using films of different strengths on top and bottom.

Preferably, each of the first compartment, second compartment and third compartment extends a maximum first, second and third distance above the sealing plane, respectively. The first compartment, the second compartment, and the third compartment each extend a corresponding maximum fourth distance below the seal plane. The third distance is greater than the second distance. In another embodiment, the first distance and the second distance may be substantially equal.

Preferably, each compartment has a maximum depth of 5 to 40 mm, more preferably 8 to 30 mm, most preferably 9 to 20 mm.

In one embodiment, the first capsule is stacked with the second capsule, with the second capsule adjacent to the first capsule. The first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment of the first capsule are configured to be stacked with an adjacent second capsule of the same configuration. This can be achieved through a number of different configurations, for example by positioning the compartments relative to each other and/or sealing lines in a configuration that allows efficient use of stacking space. Another configuration may use different maximum distances above the sealing plane, allowing the compartments to fit together in a complementary manner, for example the first, second and third compartments of the first capsule end at the capsule position, forming a kind of natural cavity into which the bulge of the largest department of the adjacent second capsule. The configuration may be designed to be stacked in the same orientation, stacked in pairs, and/or staggered, with the first capsule in the first orientation and the second capsule in the second orientation to match each other for efficient use of stacking space .

An unexpected benefit of this capsule shape is that they automatically seem to take up less volume in the package due to the shape helping to create staggered stacks of capsules with minimal wasted space between them. This is achieved by a capsule configuration, examples of which are described above. Additional embodiments may be provided that change the configuration, shape, and size of the capsule compartments to form capsules with a natural stack shape. In some embodiments, it is even possible to dispense capsules from a package in the form of a tube containing a highly efficiently packaged single stack of capsules, by maximizing the number of capsules required to fill the package containing the capsules and further reducing shipping costs. Shipping stability could also be improved, even in flexible plastic containers.

Detergent composition

Preferably, the substrate is any suitable substrate, including utensils, where "utensil" is used herein in a general sense and includes essentially any items that may be found in a dishwashing load, including china, glassware, plastic utensils, hollow products and cutlery, including silverware, and any other substrate, substrate products, clothing, bed linen, towels, etc.

The treatment composition or detergent composition may be any type of treatment composition for which it is desirable to be dosaged in a water-soluble capsule.

The detergent composition may be any type of cleaning composition for which it is desirable to provide its dosage in a water-soluble capsule. The capsules contain multiple compartments and typically contain at least two different parts of the detergent composition. Preferably, one part of the cleaning composition is particulate; and the other is a liquid.

All compartments can be filled with liquid compound. However, the compartments can also be filled with gels, powders, or any combination thereof. So, for example, some capsules may have two compartments containing a liquid and a compartment containing a powder, or may be a combination of liquid-gel, gel-powder (each form, eg, liquid, gel, powder in a different compartment).

Suitable detergent compositions, which can be divided into various components for use in the present invention, include compositions intended for machine washing of dishes or laundry (cleaning, softening and/or treating fabrics). Dishwashing compositions are preferred, especially machine-washable compositions.

Sometimes it will be sufficient to have only minor differences between parts of the detergent composition, i.e. color, fragrance, etc. However, it will often be advantageous to have visible differences, for example, a clearly different physical form of the detergent composition. In this context, suitably, one portion of the composition in one compartment may be, for example, a solid (eg, particulate or powder composition), while another portion of the composition in another compartment may be a liquid, semi-solid, or gel.

Dishwasher capsules may contain various parts of a detergent composition that, when combined, constitute a complete detergent composition. This means that the composition of each of the parts of the detergent composition differs either in its physical form (eg, viscosity), in its composition, or preferably in its color/opacity.

The dishwasher capsule according to the invention may contain in three compartments three different parts of a detergent composition which, when combined, constitute a complete detergent composition. By this it is meant that the formulation of each of the parts of the cleaning composition differs either in its physical form, or in its composition, or in its color. Preferably, the first compartment contains a first liquid content, the second compartment contains a second liquid content, and the third compartment contains a powder or granular content.

The capsule compartments will be filled with the compound. By "full" it is meant that the compartment contains liquid and possibly also a gas bubble. The possible presence of a gas bubble provides some protection to the separation from compression due to its compressibility. The gas is preferably air trapped in the compartment during manufacture. Additionally, other compartments may contain powder.

In an embodiment, the compartment contains compound powder. Preferably, the solid compound has a mass of at least 7 grams, preferably substantially 10 grams. When reference is made to the composition or mass of a solid compound, it is understood that the reference is to the total mass and composition of those solid parts. The powder compound contains a powdered or granular portion of the detergent composition, most preferably granular. By granular we mean particles generally greater than 200 microns in diameter, preferably even greater than 350 microns in diameter.

The compartments may contain alkalinity sources (e.g. sodium carbonate), structurants (e.g. strong structurants such as MGDA/GLDA and weak structurants such as citrate), bleach systems (e.g. sodium percarbonate), bleach activators (e.g. MnCat, TAED), anti-scale polymers, corrosion inhibitors (e.g. silicate and disilicate), surfactants, fragrances, dyes, antifoams, film polymers, enzymes, preservatives, thickeners, buffer systems, etc.

In machine dishwasher detergent compositions, some components are typically present in liquid form and others are typically present in powder form. By using them in their natural form, the production process requires less energy.

Surfactants

The present detergent composition preferably contains one or more surfactants. Nonionic surfactants may typically be present in the dishwasher capsule in an amount of from 0.5 to 20% by weight of the total weight of the nonionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the capsule composition compartment.

Preferred nonionic surfactants for use in dishwasher capsules are low or no foaming nonionic surfactants containing ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide residues. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants for use in the invention can be found in the low or no foaming ethoxylated linear alcohols of the Plurafac™ LF series from BASF, the Synperonic™ series from Croda, the Dehypon™ series from BASF, the Genapol™ series from Clariant, the Lutensol™ series LF from BASF and the Triton™ DF series from Rohm & Haas. Also of interest are ethoxylated alcohol terminals, available as the SLF 18B series from BASF.

Enzymes

The detergent composition preferably contains at least 0.03 wt%, more preferably at least 0.05 wt%, and most preferably 0.07-3 wt% of one or more enzymes.

Examples of enzymes suitable for use in the cleaning compositions of the present invention include lipases, cellulases, peroxidases, proteases (proteolytic enzymes), amylases (amylolytic enzymes), and others that degrade, modify, or facilitate the degradation or modification of biochemical contaminants and stains found in cleaning situations to more easily remove dirt or stain from the object being washed to make the dirt or stain more removable in a subsequent cleaning step. Both destruction and modification can improve contamination removal.

Preferably, the one or more active enzymes contained in the present composition are selected from protease, amylase, cellulase, peroxidase, mannanase, pectate, lyase and lipase.

Structure former and sequestrants

As used herein, the term "structurant" refers to a material capable of removing calcium and/or magnesium ions from an aqueous solution by ion exchange, complexation, sequestration and/or precipitation.

The structurant or sequestrant material should preferably be completely soluble to eliminate the possibility of unwanted and unsightly residues on the substrates. For this reason, alkali metal aluminosilicates are not preferred.

Typical examples of phosphorus-containing inorganic structurants, when present, include water-soluble salts, especially alkali metal pyrophosphates, orthophosphates and polyphosphates. Specific examples of inorganic phosphate builders include sodium and potassium tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates and hexametaphosphates.

Examples of suitable water-soluble detergency builders that do not contain phosphorus, if present, include carbonates, citrates, zeolites, silicates and aminopolycarboxylic compounds such as glutamate diacetic acid (GLDA), methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and trisodium citrate. Other phosphorus-free, water-soluble builders have detergent properties and may include inorganic builders such as alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, borates, silicates, metasilicates and crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicates, as well as organic builders such as polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates, acrylics /maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphonates, monomeric polycarboxylates such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol monodi- and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, carboxymethyloxymalonates, dipicolinates and hydroxyethyl iminodiacetates.

Bleaches

As used herein, the term “whitening agent” refers to substances capable of removing color stains by oxidizing or reducing the color components of the stain. The detergent composition of the present invention preferably contains 7-22 wt%, more preferably 8-20 wt%, and most preferably 9-18 wt% bleach component.

The bleach component used in the present detergent composition is preferably an oxidizing bleach component. The oxidizing bleach component may suitably include a chlorine or bromine releasing agent or a peroxide compound. Preferably, the whitening component is selected from peroxides (including peroxide salts such as sodium percarbonate), organic peracids, organic peracid salts, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the whitening component is a peroxide. Examples of peroxides are acids and the corresponding salts of monopersulfate, perborate monohydrate, perborate tetrahydrate and percarbonate. Most preferably, the bleaching component is a percarbonate, especially sodium percarbonate.

Organic puppets used here include alkylperoxic acids and arylperoxic acids, such as peroxibenzoic acid and peroxibenzoic acids with a replaced ring (for example, peroxy-nafta acid), aliphatic and substituted aliphatic monopoxy acids (for example, peroxystyuric acid and peroxystaric acid) and phthaloe acid) and phthaloe acid) Lamidoperoxicapronic acid ( PAP).

Bleach activators

As used herein, the term “bleach activator” refers to compounds used in cleaning compositions to activate the bleaching agent or bleach component, especially at lower temperatures.

Examples of bleach activators suitable for use in the cleaning compositions of the present invention include one or more bleach activators, such as peroxyacid bleach precursors. Peroxyacid bleach precursors are well known in the art. Non-limiting examples include tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (SNOBS), sodium benzoyloxybenzenesulfonate (SBOBS), and cationic peroxyacid precursor (SPCC). If desired, a bleach activator such as a macrocyclic manganese bleach catalyst (MnCAT) may be included.

The bleach activator may suitably be present in the composition in the form of an encapsulate, especially an encapsulate that is separated from the bleach particles to avoid premature activation of the bleach.

Additional optional ingredients

Optional ingredients include, for example, buffering agents, reducing agents, etc., such as borates, alkali metal hydroxide, and well-known enzyme stabilizers such as polyols such as glycerol and borax; crystal growth inhibitors, threshold agents; perfumes and dyes and the like.

When an organic surfactant is present, it is advantageous to include an antifoam; especially if the detergent composition is primarily intended for use in front-loading automatic drum washing machines. Soap is a suitable defoamer.

Glass corrosion inhibitors can prevent irreversible corrosion and iridescence of glass surfaces in automatic dishwashing detergents. The claimed composition may suitably contain glass corrosion inhibitors. Suitable glass corrosion inhibitors may be selected from the group consisting of salts of zinc, bismuth, aluminum, tin, magnesium, calcium, strontium, titanium, zirconium, manganese, lanthanum, mixtures thereof and their precursors. More preferred are bismuth, magnesium or zinc salts or combinations thereof. Most preferred are silicate-disilicate or combinations thereof. The use of silicates helps reduce glass corrosion as well as aluminum corrosion over time.

Anti-tarnish agents can prevent or reduce tarnish, corrosion, or oxidation of metals such as silver, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. Anti-tarnish agents such as benzotriazole, methylbenzotriazole or bis-benzotriazole and substituted or substituted derivatives thereof, as well as the agents described in EP 723577 (Unilever), can also be included in the composition. Other anti-tarnish agents which may be included in the cleaning composition are mentioned in WO 94/26860 and WO 94/26859. Suitable active redox agents are, for example, complexes selected from the group of cerium, cobalt, hafnium, gallium, manganese, titanium, vanadium, zinc or zirconium, in which the metal is in oxidation state II, III, IV, V or VI .

Capsule material

The capsule is made of a water-soluble film containing polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol derivative, i.e. almost homogeneous material. Such film materials can be produced, for example, by a blowing or casting process. The water-soluble film may also contain plasticizers, defoamers, antioxidants, surfactants, fragrances, and the like.

Preferably, the height (h) of the capsule is 5-40 mm, more preferably 8-30 mm, most preferably 9-20 mm.

Preferably, both the width (w) and length (l) of the capsule are greater than 20 mm, more preferably greater than 25 mm.

For capsules for machine washing of dishes, it is preferable that the capsule has linear dimensions of length and width, respectively, ≥20 mm, ≥30 mm. In embodiments, the maximum linear dimension is ≤ 500 mm, suitably ≤ 40 mm, ≤ 30 mm. In some embodiments, the length is 40 mm and the width is 30 mm.

For example, in the case of embodiments in which the capsule has a polygonal shape with straight sides meeting at the vertices, the maximum height corresponds to the distance between opposite vertices of the polygon. Linear dimensions of width and height are measured as linear dimensions. Thus, width is a linear measurement in the x direction (along the x axis) using a top view of the unit dose, including any outer sealing web. Length is a linear measurement in the y-direction (along the y-axis) using a top view of the capsule, including any outer sealing material.

Use of capsules

The capsules described here are suitable for use in a substrate treatment method, respectively, in a machine dishwashing or laundry method. Thus, another aspect of the present invention provides for the use of capsules as described herein in a cleaning method, respectively, in a dishwashing or laundry method. A suitable method involves placing the capsule in the drum or dispensing box or in any dispensing device of the (dishwasher) washing machine before starting the wash cycle.

The capsules are particularly suitable for use in dishwashers and washing machines, among other applications. They can also be used for hand washing dishes or laundry. When used, the capsule is preferably and conveniently placed directly into the liquid that forms the rinsing solution, or into the area where the liquid will be administered. The capsule dissolves upon contact with liquid, thereby releasing the cleaning composition from the individual compartments and allowing them to form the desired cleaning solution.

Aspect Combinations

A number of proposals and aspects are described herein, and these proposals and aspects are intended to be combined to achieve enhanced or cumulative benefits. Thus, any aspect can be combined with any other aspect. Likewise, optional features associated with any of the aspects may be applied to any of the other aspects.

Description of Embodiments

The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a top view of a three-compartment dishwasher capsule in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

in fig. 2A is a top view of a dishwasher capsule;

in fig. 2B is a front view of a dishwasher capsule;

in fig. 2C is a rear view of a dishwasher capsule;

in fig. 2D is a left view of a dishwasher capsule;

in fig. 2E is a right view of a dishwasher capsule; and

fig. 3 is a top view of a three-compartment dishwasher capsule in accordance with another embodiment.

Coordinate axes in the x, y, and z directions are shown in each figure to help explain the relative positions of the capsule elements. Fig. 1 and fig. 2A-2E are discussed here to help understand the following discussion of the shape and configuration of the three-compartment capsule.

The capsule described herein is particularly suitable for use in a machine dishwashing process because this process greatly benefits from the possibility of including beneficial agents for the second phase rinse cycle that can be included in the capsule. This means that the capsule includes one or more water-soluble ingredients or components that help or enhance the cleaning of dishes, especially in the dishwasher. For example, the components forming the capsule may promote better cleaning, a cleaner appearance after rinsing, minimizing the formation of stains or filming, etc. The capsule is made up of a number of different components, each of which helps in one or more stages of the dishwashing cycle.

In fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher capsule 10 according to the present invention. The 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 an airtight and hermetically sealed chamber containing a portion of the detergent composition. The compartments are located adjacent to each other, as will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2A-2E.

In fig. 2A is a top view of the dishwasher capsule 10, FIG. 2B is a front view of the dishwasher capsule 10; in fig. 2C is a rear view of the dishwasher capsule 10; in fig. 2D is a left view of the dishwasher capsule 10; and in fig. 2E is a right view of the dishwasher capsule 10.

Each compartment 11, 12, 13 of the dishwasher capsule 10 is defined by upper and lower layers of water-soluble film and is sealed at its respective periphery by sealing two layers of film around. The top and bottom layers of film are also sealed together around the three compartments to form a sealing perimeter 25 enclosing all compartments 11, 12, 13. In capsule 10, this sealing perimeter 25 defines a square outer edge. Alternatively, other shapes may also be used, for example, various shapes consisting of curved or straight lines or combinations thereof, such as triangle, rectangle, hexagon, circle, square or ellipse, to form the sealing perimeter.

The sealing web 20 is formed by fusing, for example by thermoforming, first and second sheets of water-soluble film to form a capsule. The sealing web 20 includes a sealing perimeter 25 lying in the x-y plane, referred to herein as the sealing plane. The linear dimensions of the sealing perimeter 25 determine the width and length of the capsule 10.

Preferably, the maximum linear dimension in length is 45 mm and width is 40 mm. Other embodiments may have a linear dimension of length and width of ≥20 mm, ≥30 mm, respectively. 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 are not the same, resulting in a rectangular shaped capsule.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the three compartments 11, 12, 13 is located without overlap with respect to the sealing plane, so that the sealing web can be formed using only two sheets of water-soluble film. This results in low complexity and reduced cost of capsule manufacturing.

The sealing web 20 also contains three internal sealing webs 21, 22, 23. They are also in the sealing plane and extend across the capsule to form inward-facing side edges 15, 16 of the first compartment 11, inward-facing side edges 17, 18 of the second compartment 12 and an inward-facing a 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 inner chambers being separated from each other by the first inner sealing sheet 21; the second compartment 12 and the third compartment 13 are connected to each other, with the inner chambers being separated from each other by a second inner sealing sheet 22; and the first compartment 11 and the third compartment 13 are connected to each other, with the inner chambers being separated from each other by a third inner sealing web 23. The inner sealing webs 21, 22, 23 generally separate one compartment from the other compartment by a minimum linear distance defined in compaction plane 3 mm or less, preferably 2 mm or less. In some cases, this may be more or less depending on the capsule filling, components used in the capsule, intended use, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the third compartment 13 has a generally semicircular shape in the sealing plane and is located on the side of the capsule 10 whose outwardly facing side edge extends between two adjacent corners of the capsule 10.

In the embodiment shown, at least one of the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12 each has a generally triangular shape in plan view and each is located proximate 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' may be generally polygonal in the compaction plane, preferably a four-sided polygon.

The second compartment 12 has two outward-facing side edges located on either side of one corner of the capsule 10, and one inward-facing side edge that extends in a first portion generally parallel to the semicircular side edge of the third compartment 13, and in a second portion generally parallel one inward-facing side edge of the first compartment 11. The first compartment 11 has one outward-facing side edge extending between two adjacent corners of the capsule 10, and two inward-facing side edges, one inward-facing side edge extending generally parallel to the semicircular side edge of the third compartment 13, and the other inward-facing side edge extends substantially parallel to the inward-facing side edge of the second compartment 12.

A reference here to the depth of an element, or to an element being or continuing "above" or "below", is a reference to a dimension (direction, axis) in the z direction, that is, perpendicular to the compaction plane (x-y plane). Naturally, the terms “above”, “below”, “above”, “below”, etc. are relative rather than absolute terms and are used here accordingly and for ease of understanding.

Each of the first compartment 11, the second compartment 12 and the third compartment 13 projects above the sealing plane, so that the part of each compartment that is furthest from the sealing plane in a direction perpendicular to the sealing plane is referred to here as the first distance (d1), second distance ( d2) and third distance (d3) respectively; where d1 is ≤ 20 mm, ≤ 12 mm or ≤ 8 mm; d2 ≤ 20 mm, ≤ 12 mm or ≤ 8 mm; and d3 is ≤ 40 mm, ≤ 30 mm, ≤ 20 mm or ≤ 12 mm.

Each of the three compartments 11, 12, 13 extends below the seal plane, so that the part of each compartment that is furthest from the seal plane in a direction perpendicular to the seal plane is referred to here as the fourth distance (d4), where d4 is 5-9 mm .

In the illustrated embodiment, the third distance (d3) is greater than the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2). In addition, 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) may differ in some embodiments. The second distance (d2) and the fourth distance (d4) are substantially equal. Other embodiments may have the second distance (d2) greater than the fourth distance (d4). Additionally, in some embodiments, the maximum distance below the seal plane may vary between compartments.

Each of the compartments 11, 12, 13 of the dishwasher capsule 10 contains a portion of dishwasher detergent. In the present invention, the first compartment 11 contains the first component 31, the second compartment 12 contains the second component 32, and the third compartment 13 contains the third component 33. The first component 31 represents the first liquid content, the second component 32 represents the second liquid content, and the third component 33 is a powdered or granular content. For example, the first liquid content 31 may contain a surfactant and a modifier, and the second liquid content 32 may contain a surfactant and a polymer.

Hereinafter, the first volume (V1) denotes the volume of detergent that can be contained in the first compartment 11, the second volume (V2) denotes the volume of detergent that can be contained in the second compartment 12, and the third volume (V3) denotes the volume of detergent, which can be stored in the third compartment 13.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-2E, the third compartment 13 is configured to hold a greater volume (V3) of detergent than each of the first and second compartments 11, 12. The second compartment 12 is configured to hold a greater volume (V2) of detergent than the first compartment 11, V3> V2>V1. Other embodiments may have first and second compartments containing substantially equal volume, V3>V2=V1, as shown in FIG. 3. Since the quantity of ingredients used may vary in machine dishwashing, this configuration can improve the distribution or segregation of detergent ingredients in different compartments, filling them with different and varied ingredients. By providing liquid compartments of relatively equal volume or dosage of liquid, the capsule manufacturing process may be more efficient. Having the liquid compartments of relatively equal volume and next to each other gives the capsule greater flexibility and durability than if they were separated by a powder compartment.

Each of the compartments 11, 12, 13 contains at least one of alkalinity sources, structure formers, bleaching systems, anti-scaling polymers, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, defoamers, film polymers, enzymes, flavors and minor compounds.

The volume of the third compartment 13 is such that the weight of the powder mixture is at least 7 grams, preferably 10 grams. Each liquid compound weighs at least 1.5 grams, preferably 2.7 grams. With an average mass of the liquid compound, i.e. greater than about 2 grams, the compartments containing the liquid compounds may contain a variety of ingredients such as surfactant, modifier and polymer.

By forming a capsule 10 with first, second and third compartments 11, 12, 13 separated by a sealing plane; capsule 10 is capable of delivering three different components to the washing operation in a compact and reliable form. The use of a sealing plane ensures stable separation of the interior of the compartments and allows for a flexible capsule that takes up less volume in the package. The compartments 11, 12, 13 are efficiently shaped to allow the proper amount of components to be stored and delivered in a minimum overall capsule size of 10. The presence of three compartments 11, 12, 13 in the capsule 10 allows for the use of three different components, which can result in more targeted and/or or more effective cleaning than previous capsules or tablets that included only one or two ingredients. For example, capsule 10 could include three separate components designed for a specific situation, such as frequently used pots and pans, making it more effective against the target substrate.

In another embodiment, capsule 10 may be stacked with an adjacent capsule. The first compartment 11, the second compartment 12 and the third compartment 13 of the capsule 10 are configured to be stacked with an adjacent capsule of the same configuration.

Due to the different maximum distances (d1, d2, d3) protruding 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 located above the sealing plane, the first plane on 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). Since the third distance (d3) is larger than the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2), the third compartment 13 projects from the second plane to the first plane to form a convexity.

When the cavity of the capsule 10 is folded with the convexity of the third compartment of the adjacent capsule, the capsule 10 and the adjacent capsule fit together in a complementary manner, thereby minimizing the unused space between them during stacking. Other considerations, such as the distance from the bulge in each compartment, the shape of the compartments, the size and configuration of the seal lines, etc., can be configured to facilitate packaging.

Example of detergent composition

An example of the composition of the first liquid content, the second liquid content and the powder content is shown below. The capsule configuration with separate compartments improves ingredient stability. In addition, the performance of the fragrance is better when the fragrance is part of the ingredients in at least one of the liquid chambers, ie the first liquid composition or the second liquid composition.

The first compartment 11 of the dishwasher capsule 10, as described below for the first liquid content composition, weighs essentially 2.7 grams.

Ingredient wt.% Tetrasodium dicarboxymethylglutamate 45.43 Water 16.91 Acrylic/sulfone copolymer 14.20 Lemon acid 7.49 Nonionic surfactant 3.41 Sorbitol 2.83 Other ingredients Until balance

The second compartment 12 of the dishwasher capsule 11, as described below for the second liquid content composition, weighs essentially 2.7 grams.

Ingredient wt.% Tetrasodium dicarboxymethylglutamate 45.43 Water 16.91 Acrylic/sulfone copolymer 14.20 Lemon acid 7.49 Amylase enzyme 5.30 Nonionic surfactant 3.41 Sorbitol 2.83 Fragrance 0.40 Other ingredients Until balance

The third compartment 13 of the dishwasher capsule 10 contains powder contents as described below, weighing essentially 10 grams.

Ingredient wt.% Sodium carbonate 26.00 Sodium percarbonate (bleach) 23.00 Trisodium citrate 11.40 Acrylic/sulfone copolymer 5.11 Mixture of TAED and MnCat (bleach catalysis) 5.00 Protease enzyme 5.00 Other ingredients Until balance

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes may be made and equivalents may be used in place of elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential scope. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. 10 dishwasher capsule containing: - a first compartment 11 containing the first component, - a second compartment 12 containing the second component, and - a third compartment 13 containing the third component, - each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment is separated from each other by a sealing plane; And wherein the third compartment is larger than each of the first and second compartments; And wherein the third compartment has a generally semicircular shape, wherein a straight portion of the semicircular compartment is located on a side of the capsule and extends between two adjacent corners of the capsule, wherein the first component contains a first liquid content, the second component contains a second liquid content, and the third component contains a powder content. 2. A dishwasher capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first liquid content contains a surfactant and a structurant. 3. A dishwasher capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second liquid content contains a surfactant and a polymer. 4. The dishwasher capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or second compartments have a substantially polygonal shape, preferably a substantially triangular shape. 5. A dishwasher capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment have different volumes. 6. Capsule for a dishwasher according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the capsule is a water-soluble film. 7. A dishwasher capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weight of each of the first compartment and the weight of the second compartment is 1.5 grams or more. 8. The dishwasher capsule of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment extends a maximum of a first distance, a second distance and a third distance, respectively, above the sealing plane, wherein the first distance and the second distance are essentially equal, and the third distance is greater than the second distance. 9. The dishwasher capsule according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment extends a maximum of a fourth distance below the sealing plane. 10. The dishwasher capsule of claim 9, wherein the first distance and the fourth distance are substantially equal. 11. The dishwasher capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment is located without overlap relative to the sealing plane. 12. A capsule for a dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing zone 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 of from 0.1 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.1 to 2 mm. 13. The dishwasher capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first compartment, the second compartment and the third compartment are configured to be stacked with an adjacent capsule of the same configuration.

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