Water soluble container

Abstract

A water-soluble container comprising at least one first compartment, said one or each first compartment containing a composition that comprises less than 5 wt % free water, and a second compartment containing a second composition, wherein the second composition generates a gas on exposure to the atmosphere or water, and more than 50% of the surface area of the second compartment is enclosed by the first compartment or first compartments.

1 . A water-soluble container comprising at least one first compartment, said one or each first compartment containing a composition that comprises less than 5 wt % free water, and a second compartment containing a second composition, wherein the second composition generates a gas on exposure to the atmosphere or water, and more than 50% of the surface area of the second compartment is enclosed by the first compartment or first compartments.  
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein at least 60% of the surface area of the second compartment is enclosed by the first compartment.  
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the second composition is moisture-sensitive.  
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first composition is substantially devoid of any component which, when coming into contact with the second composition, would generate a gas.  
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the first composition comprises less than 3 wt % free water.  
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 5  wherein the first composition is anhydrous.  
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the first composition is a liquid.  
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the first composition is transparent.  
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 1  which comprises a gas release means.  
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 9  wherein the second compartment comprises a gas release means.  
   
   
       11 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the first compartment has been formed by thermoforming or injection-moulding.  
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the first compartment is sealed with a sealing member, and wherein the sealing member comprises the second compartment containing the second composition.  
   
   
       13 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the first compartment and/or the second compartment is formed of a poly(vinyl alcohol).  
   
   
       14 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the first composition is a detergent composition.  
   
   
       15 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the second composition is a solid.  
   
   
       16 . A container according to  claim 15  wherein the second composition is a compressed solid which is enclosed by a film or coating of a water-soluble polymer.  
   
   
       17 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the second composition comprises a bleaching agent.  
   
   
       18 . A process for producing a container as defined in  claim 1 , which process comprises: 
 i) forming an open container, at least partially filling the container with the first composition and with the second compartment containing the second composition and sealing the container; or    ii) forming an open container, at least partially filing the container with the first composition and sealing the container with a sealing member comprising the second composition.