Water-soluble containers

Abstract

A process for producing an inflated, water-soluble container which comprises: a) forming an open container from a water-soluble film; b) at least partially filling the container with a composition which comprises a component which releases a gas; c) sealing the container; and d) allowing the container to inflate.

1 . A process for producing an inflated, water-soluble container which comprises: 
 a) forming an open container from a water-soluble film;    b) at least partially filling the container with a composition which comprises a component which releases a gas;    c) sealing the container; and    d) allowing the container to inflate.    
     
     
         2 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the container is at least partially filled with a composition and a component which releases a gas is subsequently added.  
     
     
         3 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the container is filled with a composition which comprises a component which releases a gas in a single step.  
     
     
         4 . A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein step (a) comprises thermoforming the film to produce a pocket.  
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 4  wherein step (c) comprises placing a second water-soluble film on top of the filled pocket and sealing the films together.  
     
     
         6 . A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water-soluble film is a poly(vinyl alcohol) film.  
     
     
         7 . A process according to any one of the preceding claim where the composition in step (b) is an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid.  
     
     
         8 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the aqueous liquid contains greater than 8 wt % water based on the total weight of aqueous liquid and component which releases a gas.  
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 7  or  8  wherein the component which releases a gas comprises a mixture of compounds which react in the presence of water to produce the gas.  
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 7  or  8  wherein the component which releases a gas comprises a compound which reacts with a compound in the aqueous liquid to produce the gas.  
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 10  wherein the component which releases a gas is a bleach.  
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 7  or  8  where the component which releases a gas is a component which is a gas at room temperature (20° C.) but which is added in step (b) in the form of a cooled solid or liquid.  
     
     
         13 . A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gas which inflates the container is carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         14 . A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container comprises a fabric care, surface care or dishwashing composition.  
     
     
         15 . A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container comprises a dishwashing, water-softening, laundry or detergent composition or a rinse aid.  
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 15  wherein the container is suitable for use in a domestic washing machine.  
     
     
         17 . A process according to any one of  claims 1  to  14  wherein the container comprises a disinfectant, antibacterial or antiseptic composition.  
     
     
         18 . A process according to any one of  claims 1  to  14  wherein the container comprises a refill composition for a trigger-type spray.  
     
     
         19 . An inflated water-soluble container comprising a water-soluble film enclosing a liquid or solid composition and a gas, wherein the gas is enriched with at least one gaseous component as compared with air or comprises at least one gaseous component not normally present in air.  
     
     
         20 . A container according to  claim 19  wherein the gaseous component is carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         21 . A container according to  claim 19  wherein the gaseous component is oxygen or a chlorine containing component.  
     
     
         22 . A container according to any one of  claims 19  to  21  wherein the water-soluble film is a poly(vinyl alcohol) film.  
     
     
         23 . A container according to any one of  claims 19  to  22  wherein the water-soluble film has been thermoformed to form a pocket and the pocket has been sealed by placing a second water-soluble film over the pocket and sealing the films together.  
     
     
         24 . A container according to any one of  claims 19  to  23  wherein the water-soluble film has been thermoformed.  
     
     
         25 . A container according to any one of  claims 19  to  24  wherein the composition is a fabric care, surface care or dishwashing composition.  
     
     
         26 . A container according to any one of  claims 19  to  25  wherein the composition is a dishwashing, water-softening, laundry or detergent composition or is a rinse aid.  
     
     
         27 . A container according to  claim 26  which is suitable for use in a domestic washing machine.  
     
     
         28 . A container according to any one of  claims 19  to  25  wherein the composition is a disinfectant, antibacterial or antiseptic composition.  
     
     
         29 . A container according to any one of  claims 19  to  25  wherein the composition is a refill composition for a trigger-type spray.