U.S. patent application number 14/739246 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-15 for process and apparatus for making water soluble pouches.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Supriya AGRAWAL, Miguel BRANDT SANZ, Pedro Vincent VANDECAPPELLE.
Application Number | 20160362200 14/739246 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56297099 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160362200 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BRANDT SANZ; Miguel ; et
al. |
December 15, 2016 |
PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING WATER SOLUBLE POUCHES
Abstract
A process and apparatus for forming water soluble pouches.
Inventors: |
BRANDT SANZ; Miguel;
(Tervuren, BE) ; VANDECAPPELLE; Pedro Vincent;
(Wetteren, BE) ; AGRAWAL; Supriya; (Brussels,
BE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Procter & Gamble Company |
Cincinnati |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56297099 |
Appl. No.: |
14/739246 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 39/14 20130101;
B65B 2039/009 20130101; B65B 1/04 20130101; B65B 2220/14 20130101;
B65B 39/007 20130101; B65B 9/042 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/04 20060101
B65B001/04 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
comprising the steps of: providing a water soluble first web;
feeding said first web onto a forming surface comprising a
plurality of pockets; thermoforming said first web to conform said
first web to said pockets to form chambers, each of said chambers
surrounded by a land area of said first web; providing an assembled
manifold, wherein said assembled manifold comprises: a frame; and a
plurality of integrally formed fluid distributors joined to said
frame; wherein each of said integrally formed fluid distributors
comprises a primary flow path; and wherein said primary flow path
is in fluid communication with a plurality of secondary flow paths;
dispensing substrate treatment composition from said secondary flow
paths into said chambers; providing a water soluble second web; and
sealing said water soluble second web to said land areas of said
water soluble first web to form said plurality of water soluble
pouches.
17. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 16, wherein each of said secondary flow paths is
devoid of inactive corners within said secondary flow paths.
18. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 17, wherein said frame has a machine direction
and cross direction orthogonal to said machine direction, wherein
each of said fluid distributors comprises a plurality of said
primary flow paths aligned with one another in said machine
direction.
19. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 18, wherein each of said primary flow paths
aligned with one another in said machine direction are in fluid
communication with a separate secondary flow path.
20. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 18, wherein each of said fluid distributors
comprises a plurality of said primary flow paths aligned with one
another in said cross direction, wherein each of said primary flow
paths are in fluid communication with separate fluid
distributors.
21. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 20, wherein said integrally formed fluid
distributor distributes two or more said substrate treatment
compositions that differ from one another.
22. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 18, wherein said assembled manifold comprises a
plurality of said primary flow paths aligned with one another in
said cross direction.
23. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 18, wherein each of said secondary flow paths
terminates at a separate nozzle.
24. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 16, wherein said primary flow paths and
secondary flow paths comprise a material selected from the group
consisting of titanium 6-4, cobalt-chrome, and stainless steel.
25. The process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
according to claim 16, wherein said frame and said plurality of
integrally formed fluid distributors joined to said frame are
integrally formed with one another.
26. An assembled manifold comprising: a frame; and a plurality of
integrally formed fluid distributors joined to said frame; wherein
each of said integrally formed fluid distributors comprises a
primary flow path; and wherein said primary flow path is in fluid
communication with a plurality of secondary flow paths.
27. The assembled manifold according to claim 26, wherein each of
said secondary flow paths is devoid of inactive corners within said
secondary flow paths.
28. The assembled manifold according to claim 27, wherein said
frame has a machine direction and cross direction orthogonal to
said machine direction, wherein each of said fluid distributors
comprises a plurality of said primary flow paths aligned with one
another in said machine direction.
29. The assembled manifold according to claim 28, wherein each of
said secondary flow paths aligned with one another in said machine
direction are in fluid communication with a separate primary flow
path.
30. The assembled manifold according to claim 28, wherein each of
said fluid distributors comprises a plurality of said primary flow
paths aligned with one another in said cross direction, wherein
each of said primary flow paths are in fluid communication with
separate fluid distributors.
31. The assembled manifold according to claim 28, wherein said
assembled manifold comprises a plurality of said primary flow paths
aligned with one another in said cross direction.
32. The assembled manifold according to claim 28, wherein each of
said secondary flow paths terminates at a separate nozzle.
33. The assembled manifold according to claim 26, wherein said
primary flow paths and secondary flow paths comprise a material
selected from the group consisting of titanium 6-4, cobalt-chrome,
and stainless steel.
34. The assembled manifold according to claim 26, wherein said
frame and said plurality of integrally formed fluid distributors
joined to said frame are integrally formed with one another.
35. A process for filling a portion of a water soluble pouch
comprising the steps of: providing an assembled manifold of claim
26; and dispensing liquid substrate treatment composition from said
assembled manifold into a portion of said water soluble pouch.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Process and apparatus for making water soluble pouches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Water soluble pouches are widely used to dose substrate
treatment compositions such as laundry detergent and dishwashing
detergent. The typical process used to manufacture such pouches is
to convert a web of material into individual pouches. To form a
pouch from multiple webs of materials typically requires that seals
between webs of material or materials need to be made to form a
pouch that does not leak. Leaks that occur in seams can result in a
product that is messy to store and use and may also result in a
product that does not function as intended.
[0003] The converting process for forming water soluble pouches can
include a fluid distribution manifold. The function of the manifold
is to distribute a single stream of substrate treatment composition
into multiple streams of substrate treatment composition. The
streams of substrate treatment composition from the manifold are
directed to particular locations on a web that are or will be
formed into a pouch. The traditional method of constructing a fluid
distribution manifold is to provide two solid blocks of material
and machining out material from the solid blocks to provide for
fluid pathways. The blocks are positioned in a facing relationship
and have a gasket between the two blocks to prevent leakage from
the fluid pathways into the space between the two blocks. The
gasket has portions of material removed there from coincident with
portions of the blocks that are machined. Together, the blocks and
gasket define one or more channels in and through the manifold.
[0004] There are at least two problems that arise from the typical
approach for constructing a manifold. First, the gasket is critical
to maintaining function of the manifold. If the gasket is
improperly aligned, has wrinkles or folds, or is degraded by the
fluid with which the gasket comes into contact with, the manifold
may leak via a flow pathway between the blocks of material. Second,
flow pathways passing through the blocks are typically provided by
drilling and or routing out material from the blocks. The
intersections of channels routed out in surfaces of the solid
blocks and holes drilled through the blocks tend to have sharp
intersections and the cross section of the flow paths is irregular
and non-circular in portions of the pathways. These sharp
intersections of flow paths and irregularly shaped non-circular
portions can result in uncontrollable initiation and termination of
the flow of substrate treatment composition, air entrapment, and or
stagnant liquid in the flow pathways.
[0005] Leaks in the manifold and uncontrollable initiation and
termination of flow of the substrate treatment composition from the
manifold can result in some of the substrate treatment composition
ending up on the portion of the web where a seam is to be located.
The presence of the substrate treatment composition in the seam
area can impede the ability to make a competent seal between the
webs of material used to form the pouch. This can result in the
final formed pouch having a leak at the time of manufacture or a
weak seal that ultimately develops into a leak after manufacture
and before use by the consumer.
[0006] With these limitations in mind, there is a continuing
unaddressed need for processes for manufacturing water soluble
pouches that can form water soluble pouches that do not have a leak
at the time of manufacture or develop a leak after manufacture and
before use by the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A process for forming a plurality of water soluble pouches
(50) comprising the steps of: providing a water soluble first web
(30); feeding the first web onto a forming surface (140) comprising
a plurality of pockets (70); thermoforming the first web to conform
the first web to the pockets to form chambers (55), each of the
chambers surrounded by a land area (37) of the first web; providing
an assembled manifold (100), wherein the assembled manifold
comprises: a frame (10); and a plurality of integrally formed fluid
distributors (60) joined to the frame; wherein each of the
integrally formed fluid distributors comprises a primary flow path
(80); and wherein the primary flow path is in fluid communication
with a plurality of secondary flow paths (90); dispensing substrate
treatment composition from the secondary flow paths into the
compartments; providing a water soluble second web (40); and
sealing the water soluble second web to the land areas of the water
soluble first web to form the plurality of water soluble
pouches.
[0008] An assembled manifold comprising: a frame (10); and a
plurality of integrally formed fluid distributors (60) joined to
the frame; wherein each of the integrally formed fluid distributors
comprises a primary flow path (80); and where the primary flow path
is in fluid communication with a plurality of secondary flow paths
(90).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an apparatus for forming soluble unit dose
substrate treatment composition pouches.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an assembled manifold comprising a frame and a
plurality of integrally formed fluid distributors that comprise a
plurality of flow paths.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a portion of an integrally
formed fluid distributor.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a photograph of initiation of fluid flow from a
nozzle connected to a manifold formed from two blocks of
material.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a photograph of initiation of fluid flow from a
nozzle connected to a manifold formed from two blocks of material,
the flow rate of liquid being higher in FIG. 5 than FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a photograph of initiation of fluid flow from a
nozzle connected to an assembled manifold, the flow rate of fluid
being approximately the same as that shown in FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a first web deformed into a
plurality of chambers and the position of the secondary flow paths
in relationship to the chambers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] An apparatus 1 for forming soluble unit dose substrate
treatment composition pouches 50 is shown in FIG. 1. The substrate
treatment composition can be, by way of non-limiting example, a
laundry treatment agent, a dishware treatment agent, a hard surface
treatment agent, or similar. A water soluble first web 30 is
provided and fed onto a forming surface 140. The water soluble
first web 30 can be carried by the forming surface 140 beneath a
frame 10 that carries a plurality of integrally formed fluid
distributors 60. The forming surface 140 can be a drum like that
shown in FIG. 1. The forming surface 140 can rotate at a fixed
angular velocity. The forming surface 140 can have a plurality of
pockets 70 into which the water soluble first web 30 can be drawn
by vacuum applied to the pockets 70. By drawing the first web 30
into the pockets 70 a plurality of chambers 55 (see FIG. 4) can be
formed. The chambers 55 can be surrounded by a land area 37 (see
FIGS. 4 and 5). The water soluble first web 30 can be conveyed in a
machine direction MD. The forming surface 140 can have a plurality
of lanes of pockets 70 in a direction orthogonal to the machine
direction MD. The forming surface 140 can be a flat continuous
conveyor that runs in an endless loop, by way of non-limiting
example a belt system.
[0017] Once portions of the water soluble first web 30 are drawn
into the pockets 70, the first web 30 can be carried beneath the
frame 10 and liquid substrate treatment composition can be
dispensed from the integrally formed fluid distributors 60 into the
portions of the first web 30 drawn into the pockets 70. The liquid
substrate treatment composition can be provided to the integrally
formed distributors 60 by a feed line 20. Liquid substrate
treatment composition is dispensed periodically from the fluid
distributors 60. This is so that liquid substrate treatment
composition is dispensed only into the portions of the first web 30
drawn into pockets 70 and the land areas between the deformed
portions of the water soluble first web 30 are free from liquid
substrate treatment composition. Once the fluid is dispensed from
the fluid distributors 60, a water soluble second web 40 can be
provided. The water soluble second web 40 can be conveyed to be on
top of the water soluble first web 30 and the water soluble first
web 30 and second web 40 are sealed to one another to form pouches
50. The water soluble second web 40 can be sealed to the land areas
37 of the water soluble first web 30 to form a plurality of water
soluble pouches 50. Downstream of the forming surface 140 the
pouches 50 can be separated from one another by cutting.
[0018] The water soluble first web 30 and water soluble second web
40 can comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of
polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides,
acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose
esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids
and salts, polyaminoacids or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide,
copolymers of maleic/acrylic acids, polysaccharides including
starch and gelatine, natural gums such as xanthum and carragum.
Suitable polymers are selected from polyacrylates and water-soluble
acrylate copolymers, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose
sodium, dextrin, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates, and
suitably selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol
copolymers and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), and
combinations thereof. The level of polymer in the water soluble
first web 30 and water soluble second web 40, for example a PVA
polymer, can be at least 60%. The polymer can have any weight
average molecular weight, such as from about 1000 to about
1,000,000, or even from about 10,000 to about 300,000, or even from
about 20,000 to about 150,000.
[0019] Suitable water soluble first web 30 and water soluble second
web 40 can be webs supplied by Monosol under the trade references
M8630, M8900, M8779, M8310, films described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,166,117 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,512 and PVA films of
corresponding solubility and deformability characteristics. Further
suitable sheets can be those described in US2006/0213801, WO
2010/119022 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,512.
[0020] Together the frame 10 and the plurality of integrally formed
fluid distributors 60 form an assembled manifold, as shown in FIG.
2, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 10 and integrally
formed distributors 60 can have a machine direction MD and a cross
direction CD orthogonal to the machine direction MD. The frame 10
can house the integrally formed fluid distributors 60. The frame 10
can be a predominantly solid block of material having sockets,
spaces, or other shape to accommodate the integrally formed fluid
distributors 60 being attached to the frame 10. The frame 10 can be
an open frame 10 having a minimal amount of material so as to be
able to maintain integrity of the frame 10 during operation of the
apparatus 1.
[0021] During operation of the apparatus 1, the frame 10 may
reciprocate in space so as to track the pockets 70 as they move
beneath the frame 10. Advantageously, the frame 10 can be an open
frame 10 so as to minimize the amount of inertia that must be
overcome by the motor providing for acceleration and deceleration
of the frame 10. In operation, the forming surface 140 may be
continuously moving to move the first web 30 in the machine
direction. As a pocket 70 approaches the integrally formed
distributors 60, the frame 10 can be positioned so that a secondary
flow path 90 is over the pocket 70 to be filled. As the forming
surface 140 continues to drive the first web 30 in the machine
direction MD, the frame 10 moves in concert with the pocket 70 and
liquid is dispensed from the secondary flow path 90 to the portion
of the first web 30 that is deformed into the pocket 70 to form
part of the pouch 50. The liquid flow from the secondary flow path
90 is stopped before the forming surface 140 moves beyond the range
of movement of the secondary flow path 90. Once liquid flow is
stopped, the frame reciprocates to be in position over another
portion of the first web 30 that is formed into a portion of a
pouch 50 in a pocket 70 of the forming surface 140.
[0022] The integrally formed fluid distributors 60 can be joined to
the frame 10. The integrally formed fluid distributors 60 and the
frame 10 can be integrally formed with one another to provide for
fluid distributors 60 being joined to the frame 10. The integrally
formed fluid distributors 60 can be joined to the frame 10 by
bolts, welding, adhesive, tape, glue, screws, rivets, press fit,
and any other methods for joining or associating two adjacent
articles.
[0023] The fluid distributors 60 operate to distribute liquid
substrate treatment composition to multiple pouches 70 and or
multiple chambers of one or more pouches 70. As shown in FIGS. 2
and 3, each of the fluid distributors 60 can comprise a primary
flow path 80. Optionally, each of the fluid distributors 60 can
comprise a plurality of primary flow paths 80. The primary flow
path 80 can be in fluid communication with a plurality of secondary
flow paths 90. If there are a plurality of primary flow paths 80,
each primary flow path 80 can be in fluid communication with a
plurality of secondary flow paths 90.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary flow paths 90 can be
curved or smoothly shaped. Such curved secondary flow paths 90 can
be devoid of inactive corners within the secondary flow paths 90.
In traditional manifold construction in which two blocks of
material are machined to provide for fluid distribution within and
from the manifold, the channels and drilled holes to providing the
flow paths can have sharp corners and or intersections having sharp
edges. The sharp corners and intersections of the flow paths can
result in inactive portions of the fluid pathways. Inactive
portions can give rise to accumulation of gasses, agglomerations of
components of the fluid being distributed and conducted, and
irregular fluid flow.
[0025] Inactive corners within the secondary flow paths 90 can
results in irregular initiation of fluid dispensing from the
secondary flow paths 90. The irregular initiation of fluid
dispensing may occur because the gasses and or agglomerations
accumulated in the inactive portions may deform or compress when
pressure is applied the fluid being conducted. Further the
accumulated gasses and or agglomerations may move uncontrollably
within the second flow path 90 giving rise to irregular initiation
of fluid dispensing.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 10 has a machine direction MD
and a cross direction CD orthogonal to the machine direction MD.
Each of the integrally formed fluid distributors 60 can comprise a
primary flow path 80. Each of the integrally formed fluid
distributors 60 can comprise a plurality of primary flow paths 80.
Each of the integrally formed fluid distributors 60 can comprise a
plurality primary flow paths 80 aligned with one another in the
machine direction MD. Each of the integrally formed fluid
distributors 60 can comprise a plurality of primary flow paths 80
aligned with one another in the machine direction MD. This can be
practical if more than one pouch 70 in the machine direction MD or
chamber of a pouch in the machine direction MD is being filled
simultaneously for some portion of time. To provide for the ability
to individually active fluid dispensing from separate secondary
flow paths 90 located at different positions in the machine
direction MD, each of the primary flow paths 80 aligned with one
another in the machine direction MD can be in fluid communication
with a separate secondary flow path 90.
[0027] The integrally formed fluid distributors 60 can comprise a
plurality of primary flow paths 80 aligned with one another in the
cross direction CD. Each of the primary flow paths 80 can be in
fluid communication with separate fluid distributors 60.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the assembled manifold 100 can comprise
a plurality of primary flow paths 80 aligned with one another in
the cross direction CD. The assembled manifold 100 can comprises a
plurality of primary flow paths 80 and or secondary flow paths 90
aligned with one another in the cross direction CD.
[0029] The primary flow paths 80 and secondary flow paths 90 can be
formed of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium
6-4, cobalt-chrome, and stainless steel. Any material that can be
used in a process known as 3-D printing or additive manufacturing
that is compatible with the liquid being transported through the
fluid distributors 60 can be used. The integrally formed fluid
distributors 60 can be formed by additive manufacturing, which is
colloquially referred to as three-dimensional printing. So the
integrally formed fluid distributors 60 can be referred to as
three-dimensionally printed fluid distributors 60. In an additive
manufacturing process, the fluid distributers 60 are formed by
building up layers of material constituting the fluid distributors
60. The constituent material of the integrally formed fluid
distributors 60 can be any material that can be used in an additive
manufacturing process, has appropriate mechanical properties to be
employed as an integrally formed fluid distributor 60, and is
compatible with the liquid to be dispensed from the integrally
formed fluid distributors 60. So the integrally formed distributors
60 can be referred to as additive manufactured integrally formed
distributors 60. The integrally formed distributors 60 can also be
referred to as three-dimensionally printed integrally formed
distributors 60. The frame 10 and the fluid distributors 60 can be
integrally formed with one another.
[0030] Each of the secondary flow paths 90 can terminate in a
separate nozzle 110, as shown in FIG. 3. The nozzle 110 can
constrict flow of the liquid to provide for a steady stream of
fluid during fluid dispensing though the secondary flow path 90 and
nozzle 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the first web 30 can be drawn into
the pocket 70 on the forming surface 140. Each pocket 70 can be
connected to a vacuum tube 120 that can help draw the first web 30
into conformance with the pocket 70. The first web 30 can
optionally be heated to permit the first web 30 be more easily
thermoformed into the pocket 70. The first web 30 can be
thermoformed to conform with the pocket 70.
[0031] The primary flow paths 80 can have inside diameter of from
about 1 mm to about 8 mm. The secondary flow paths 90 can have an
inside diameter of from about 1 mm to about 6 mm. The wall
thickness of the primary flow paths 80 and secondary flow paths 90
can be from about 0.2 mm to about 3 mm. The spacing between second
flow paths 90 that are connected to a single primary flow path 80
can be from about 25 to about 60 mm. The length of each secondary
flow path 90 can be from about 10 mm to about 60 mm. The spacing
between primary flow paths 80 located in line with one another in
the cross direction can be from about 25 to about 120 mm. The
spacing between secondary flow paths 90 located in line with one
another in the machine direction MD can be from about 25 to about
60 mm. For each nearest neighbors primary flow paths 80, the
primary flow paths 80 can be from about 8 mm to about 40 mm in the
machine direction MD and from about 8 mm to about 40 mm in the
cross direction MD.
[0032] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the start of dispensing from
nozzles 110 of a manifold formed from two blocks of machined
material that are assembled together with a gasket between the two
blocks of material. The liquid being dispensed can be a substrate
treatment composition, such as by non-limiting example, selected
from the group consisting of a laundry treatment composition, a
dish treatment composition, a hard surface treatment composition.
The liquid being dispensed in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a liquid laundry
detergent of the type marketed by Procter & Gamble Company. As
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at the onset of dispensing from the nozzles
110 of a common manifold is sporadic with irregular droplet size
and splattering. FIG. 6 illustrates dispensing from nozzles 110 of
an assembled manifold 100 as described herein. As shown in FIG. 6,
the onset of dispensing from the nozzles 110 is coherent with no
irregular droplets being formed and no splattering. The difference
in the behavior of the onset of dispensing between the two
different manifold designs is believed to arise as a result of the
secondary flow paths 90 of the assembled manifold 100 are devoid of
inactive corners within the secondary flow paths 90, unlike the
flow paths in the manifold built by traditional methods.
[0033] The behavior of flow observable in FIGS. 4 and 5 can
adversely affect the quality of the pouches 50 manufactured using
such a manifold. The drips shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can end up
landing on the land areas 37 between chambers 55. Typically, those
areas of the pouch 50 are where the water soluble first web 30 and
water soluble second web 40 are seamed to one another. The presence
of the substrate treatment composition in the seam area can impede
the ability to make a competent seal between the webs of material
used to form the pouch. This can result in the final formed pouch
having a leak at the time of manufacture or a weak seal that
ultimately develops into a leak after manufacture and before use by
the consumer. Dispensing from a integrally formed fluid distributor
60 as described herein is shown in FIG. 6. Since initiation of flow
from the secondary flow paths 90 is regular, the delivery of the
substrate treatment composition to the chambers 55 is predictable
and the operating speed of the various components of the apparatus
1 can set so that no or some minimal acceptable amount substrate
treatment composition is delivered to the land areas 37. This can
permit a high quality seam between the water soluble first web 30
and water soluble second web 40.
[0034] A portion of a water soluble pouch 50 can be filled by the
following process. First, an assembled manifold 100, as described
herein, can be provided. Then liquid substrate treatment
composition can be dispensed from the assembled manifold into a
portion of the water soluble pouch 50. The portion of the water
soluble pouch 50 that is formed can be the first web 30. After such
portion is filled, a second web 40 can be sealed to the first web
30 to form one or more pouches 50.
[0035] The configuration of the secondary flow paths 90 shown in
FIG. 2 can be practical for pouches 50 that are dual compartment
pouches. For example, the first web 30 can be formed into the
precursor for pouches 50 as shown in FIG. 8. The chambers 55 can be
shaped to that the centroid of each chamber 55 is offset from the
centroid of the other chamber 55. Having the centroids offset from
one another can make it more practical to fill both chambers 55 of
a single pouch 50 simultaneously for at least some portion of the
dispensing cycle of each secondary flow path 90.
[0036] A grouping of the precursor for what ultimately can become
four water soluble pouches 50 is shown in FIG. 7. Each of the
similarly shaped and oriented chambers 55 are aligned with one
another in the machine direction MD and the cross direction CD.
This can provide the ability to fill multiple chambers 55 aligned
with one another in the machine direction on the forming surface
140 at the same time. This can also provide the ability to fill
multiple chambers 55 across the forming surface 140 in the cross
direction CD.
[0037] In FIG. 7, the secondary flow paths 90 designated as A can
dispense liquid simultaneously. With the secondary flow paths 90
arranged as such, each of the primary flow paths 80 can be aligned
with other primary flow paths 80 in the cross direction CD and with
other primary flow paths 80 in the machine direction MD. The
secondary flow paths 90 aligned with one another in the cross
direction CD can dispense liquid simultaneously to the portions of
the first web 30 deformed in to pockets 70.
[0038] The secondary flow paths 90 designated B can dispense liquid
simultaneously in the same manner. The secondary flow paths 90
designated A can start dispensing liquid before the secondary flow
paths 90 designated B. The secondary flow paths 90 designated A can
cease dispensing liquid before the secondary flow paths 90
designated B cease to dispense liquid.
[0039] Similarly, secondary flow paths 90 designated A can commence
dispensing liquid before the secondary flow paths 90 designated C
start to dispense liquid. The secondary flow paths 90 designated A
can cease dispensing liquid before the secondary flow paths 90
designated C cease to dispense liquid. The secondary flow paths 90
designated B and D can be operated in the same manner as the
secondary flow paths 90 designated A and C are operated.
[0040] The integrally formed fluid distributors 60 can distribute
two or more substrate treatment compositions that differ from one
another. Such an arrangement can be practical for forming a single
pouch 50 that has two separate chambers 55 each of which contain a
different substrate treatment composition. For instance, as shown
in FIG. 7, the chambers 55 associated with secondary flow paths 90
designated as A can provide one type of substrate treatment
composition and the chambers 55 associated with secondary flow
paths 90 designated as B can provide another type of substrate
treatment composition.
[0041] The substrate treatment composition dispensed from secondary
flow paths 90 designated as C can be the same as the substrate
treatment composition dispensed from secondary flow paths 90
designated as A. Similarly, the substrate treatment composition
dispensed from secondary flow paths 90 designated as D can be the
same as the substrate treatment composition dispensed from
secondary flow paths 90 designated as B. The substrate treatment
composition dispensed from secondary flow paths 90 designated as A
and C can differ from the substrate treatment composition dispensed
from secondary flow paths 90 designated as B and D.
[0042] The substrate treatment composition can be any of the
substrate treatment agents presently marketed as TIDE PODS, CASCADE
ACTION PACS, CASCADE PLATINUM, CASCADE COMPLETE, ARIEL 3 IN 1 PODS,
TIDE BOOST ORIGINAL DUO PACs, TIDE BOOST FEBREZE SPORT DUO PACS,
TIDE BOOST FEE DUO PACS, TIDE BOOST VIVID WHITE BRIGHT PACS, DASH,
FAIRY (PLATINUM, ALL-IN ONE), YES (PLATINUM ALL-IN ONE), JAR
(PLATINUM, ALL-IN ONE, and DREFT (PLATINUM, ALL-IN ONE) by The
Procter & Gamble Company in various geographies globally.
[0043] The pouch 50 can be sized and dimensioned to fit in an adult
human hand. The pouch 50 can have a volume less than about 70 mL.
The pouch 50 can have a volume less than about 50 mL. The pouch 50
can have a volume less than about 40 mL. The edges of the pouch 50
can have a length of from about 10 mm to about 70 mm. The edges of
the pouch 50 can have a length of from about 20 mm to about 60 mm.
The edges of the pouch 50 can have a length of from about 25 mm to
about 50 mm.
[0044] The edges of the pouch 50 can each have a length less than
about 100 mm, or even less than about 60 mm, or even less than
about 50 mm. The plan view of the of the water soluble pouch 50 can
be substantially rectangular, substantially square, substantially
circular, elliptical, superelliptical, or any other desired shape
that is practical to manufacture. The overall plan area of the
water soluble pouch can be less than about 10000 mm.sup.2, or even
less than about 2500 mm.sup.2. Sized and dimensioned as such, the
water soluble pouch 50 can fit conveniently within the grasp of an
adult human hand. Further, for water soluble pouches 50 intended
for use in automatic dishwashing machines, such a size can
conveniently fit in the detergent receptacle within the
machine.
[0045] The substrate treatment composition can be selected from the
group consisting of liquid laundry detergent, a liquid dishwashing
detergent, a liquid bleaching agent, a powdered bleaching agent, a
liquid fabric softener, a liquid laundry scent additive, a liquid
fabric care benefit agent, and combinations thereof. The substrate
treatment composition can be a fabric softener comprising a
quaternary ammonium salt and or a dehydrogenated tallow dimethyl
ammonium chloride and or a diethyl ester dimethyl ammonium
chloride. A substrate treatment composition can be formulated to
treat a substrate selected from the group consisting of glassware,
dishware, flooring, textiles, tires, automobile bodies, teeth,
dentures, skin, fingernails, toenails, hair, appliance surfaces,
appliance interiors, toilets, bathtubs, showers, minors, deck
materials, windows, and the like.
[0046] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0047] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application and any patent application or
patent to which this application claims priority or benefit
thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any
document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to
any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in
any combination with any other reference or references, teaches,
suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent
that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts
with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document
incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to
that term in this document shall govern.
[0048] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
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