Filaments Comprising a Non-Perfume Active Agent Nonwoven Webs and Methods for Making Same

Abstract

Filaments that contain a filament-forming material and an additive, nonwoven webs, and methods for making such filaments are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nonwoven web comprising a plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments, wherein the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments exhibit diameters of greater than 3 μm but less than 10 μm and comprise one or more filament-forming materials comprising a polyvinyl alcohol and one or more non-perfume active agents comprising a surfactant that are released from the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments upon dissolution of the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments when exposed to water. 
     
     
         2 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the total level of the one or more non-perfume active agents present in the filament is greater than 40% by weight on a dry filament basis. 
     
     
         3 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the total level of the one or more non-perfume active agents present in the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments is greater than 80% by weight on a dry filament basis. 
     
     
         4 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more filament-forming materials and the one or more non-perfume active agents are present in the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments at a weight ratio of filament-forming materials to active agents of 1 or less. 
     
     
         5 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more filament-forming materials comprises a polar solvent-soluble material. 
     
     
         6 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 5  wherein the polar solvent-soluble material comprises a water-soluble material. 
     
     
         7 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more filament-forming materials further comprises a hydroxyl polymer selected from the group consisting of: pullulan, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum, acacia gum, Arabic gum, polyacrylic acid, methylmethacrylate copolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer, dextrin, pectin, chitin, levan, elsinan, collagen, gelatin, zein, gluten, soy protein, casein, starch, starch derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, proteins, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, polyethylene glycol, tetramethylene ether glycol, hydroxymethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more filament-forming materials exhibits a weight average molecular weight of greater than 10,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         9 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments further comprise a plasticizer. 
     
     
         10 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 9  wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of: glycerin, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycidol, urea, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, sugars, ethylene bisformamide, amino acids, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more non-perfume active agents is selected from the group consisting of: skin benefit agents, medicinal agents, lotions, fabric care agents, dishwashing agents, carpet care agents, surface care agents, hair care agents, air care agents, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments comprise two or more different filament-forming materials. 
     
     
         14 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments comprise two or more different non-perfume active agents. 
     
     
         15 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments further comprise a coating composition present on an external surface of the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments. 
     
     
         16 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 15  wherein the coating composition comprises one or more active agents. 
     
     
         17 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 16  wherein at least one of the one or more active agents present in the coating composition is different from at least one of the one or more non-perfume active agents present in the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments. 
     
     
         18 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments further comprise a dissolution aid. 
     
     
         19 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments exhibit a water content of from 0% to about 20%. 
     
     
         20 . The nonwoven web according to  claim 19  wherein the plurality of water-soluble inter-entangled filaments exhibit a water content of greater than 0% to less than 15%.