Continuous motion rotating thermoforming of soluble pouches

Abstract

A method of producing a water soluble pouch having at least one compartment containing more than one component includes forming an open compartment in a base web, adding a component to the compartment at a sufficiently high temperature to be in a molten form, and solidifying at least an upper surface of the molten material. The method further includes adding at least one further component to the compartment after the upper surface has solidified to prevent the components mixing with each other and closing the compartment with a lidding web.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of producing a water soluble pouch having at least one compartment containing more than one component, the method comprising:
 forming an open compartment in a base web;   adding a component to the compartment at a sufficiently high temperature to be in a molten form;   solidifying at least an upper surface of the molten material;   adding at least one further component to the compartment after the upper surface has solidified to prevent the components mixing with each other; and   closing the compartment with a lidding web.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the component having a molten form is a liquid or a gel. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the temperature of the component having a molten form is at least 10 degrees centigrade below the melting point of the material forming the compartment. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the at least one further component is a granular or powder product. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising adding a three dimensional solid object to the compartment before the upper surface of the component having a molten form has solidified. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the solid object is coated with a water soluble polymer which is similar or identical to a material of the pouch. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the at least one further component is a granular or powder product added after the upper surface of the component having a molten form has solidified. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the at least one further component is a liquid or a gel product added after the upper surface of the component having a molten form has solidified. 
     
     
         29 . A method of producing a water soluble pouch having at least one compartment comprising:
 forming an open compartment in a base web;   adding a three dimensional object to the compartment; and   closing the compartment with a lidding web;   wherein the three dimensional object is coated with a water soluble polymer.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the water soluble polymer coating is the same as or similar to the material of the base web or lidding web. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the three dimensional object is a tablet or capsule. 
     
     
         32 . A method of filling a compartment of a water soluble pouch, the method comprising:
 feeding at least two gels through a nozzle; and   forming the at least two gels in a pattern in the pouch.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein at least one of a composition, color, or appearance is different between each gel. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the nozzle is stationary. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising rotating the nozzle. 
     
     
         36 . Means for producing a water soluble pouch made from at least two webs comprising soluble polymeric substrates, wherein each web defines at least two faces, and wherein each face of at least one web is coated or printed in line. 
     
     
         37 . The means for producing a water soluble pouch of  claim 36  wherein the at least one coated web forms at least one of a base web or a top web of the pouch. 
     
     
         38 . The means for producing a water soluble pouch of  claim 36  wherein the coating is at least one of a color coating, a perfume coating, an enzyme coating, or an active ingredient coating.