Water soluble container

Abstract

A filled water-soluble injection moulded container ( 1 ) containing a first composition ( 6 ) held in a first compartment ( 2 ) and a second composition ( 8 ) held in a second compartment ( 3 ), said first compartment ( 2 ) and said second compartment ( 3 ) being separated by a water-soluble barrier ( 4 ) having an opening ( 5 ) plugged by a plug ( 7 ) arranged such that when said container ( 1 ) is filled with said first composition ( 6 ) and said second composition ( 8 ), said first compartment ( 2 ) is filled through said opening ( 5 ) in said barrier ( 4 ), said barrier ( 4 ) is plugged with said plug ( 7 ), and subsequently said second compartment ( 3 ) is filled with said second composition ( 8 ) and said second compartment is sealed with a closure part ( 9 ).

1 . A filled water-soluble injection moulded container ( 1 ) containing a first composition ( 6 ) held in a first compartment ( 2 ) and a second composition ( 8 ) held in a second compartment ( 3 ), said first compartment ( 2 ) and said second compartment ( 3 ) being separated by a water-soluble barrier ( 4 ) having an opening ( 5 ) plugged by a plug ( 7 ) arranged such that when said container ( 1 ) is filled with said first composition ( 6 ) and said second composition ( 8 ), said first compartment ( 2 ) is filled through said opening ( 5 ) in said barrier ( 4 ), said barrier ( 4 ) is plugged with said plug ( 7 ), and subsequently said second compartment ( 3 ) is filled with said second composition ( 8 ) and said second compartment is sealed with a closure part ( 9 ). 
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said closure part ( 9 ) is a water-soluble film ( 9 ). 
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein said plug ( 7 ) comprises a water-soluble composition. 
   
   
       4 . A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said plug ( 7 ) is spherical. 
   
   
       5 . A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first composition ( 6 ) and said second composition ( 8 ) are each a fabric care, surface care or dishwashing composition. 
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 5  wherein said first composition ( 6 ) and said second composition ( 8 ) are each a dishwashing, water-softening, laundry, detergent or rinse aid composition. 
   
   
       7 . A container according to any one of  claims 1  to  4  wherein said first composition ( 6 ) and said second composition ( 8 ) are each a disinfectant, antibacterial or antiseptic composition. 
   
   
       8 . A container according to any one of  claims 1  to  4  wherein said first composition and said second composition are each an agricultural composition. 
   
   
       9 . An unfilled water-soluble injection moulded container ( 1 ) containing a first compartment ( 2 ) and a second compartment ( 3 ), said first compartment ( 2 ) and said second compartment ( 3 ) being separated by a water-soluble barrier ( 4 ) having an opening ( 5 ) arranged such that when said container is to be filled said first compartment ( 2 ) is arranged to be filled through said opening ( 5 ) in said barrier ( 4 ), said barrier ( 4 ) is capable of being plugged with a plug ( 7 ), and subsequently said second compartment ( 3 ) is arranged to be filled through another opening in the container. 
   
   
       10 . A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said container is made from a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH). 
   
   
       11 . A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first compartment ( 2 ) is defined by a lower surface, said barrier ( 4 ) and walls extending therebetween, said lower surface and said barrier ( 4 ) being substantially parallel. 
   
   
       12 . A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said second compartment ( 3 ) is defined by an opening, said barrier ( 4 ) and walls extending therebetween, said upper surface and said opening being substantially parallel. 
   
   
       13 . A container according to any one of the preceding claims which is cuboid. 
   
   
       14 . A process for preparing a filled container as defined in any one of  claims 1  to  8  or  10  to  13  which comprises providing an unfilled water-soluble injection moulded container ( 1 ) as defined in  claim 9 , filling said first compartment ( 2 ) with said first composition ( 6 ) through said opening ( 5 ) in said barrier ( 4 ), plugging said opening ( 5 ) with a plug ( 7 ), filling said second compartment ( 3 ) with said second composition ( 8 ) and sealing said second compartment ( 3 ) with a closure part ( 9 ).