Compositions in the Form of Dissolvable Solid Structures

Abstract

Described are dissolvable, porous solid structures formed using certain vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymers. The copolymer and the porosity of the structure allow for liquid flow during use such that the structure readily dissolves to provide a desired consumer experience. Also described are processes for making open cell foam and fibrous dissolvable solid structures.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to compositions in the form of dissolvable solid structures. The dissolvable solid structures are formed using certain polymers that allow the structures to perform well for their intended use and allow for beneficial manufacturing conditions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many personal care, fabric care and other consumer products in the market today are sold in liquid form. While widely used, liquid products often have tradeoffs in terms of packaging, storage, transportation, and convenience of use. Liquid consumer products typically are sold in bottles which add cost as well as packaging waste, much of which ends up in land-fills.[0003]Dissolvable solid products have been disclosed, comprising a water-soluble polymeric structurant and a surfactant or other ingredients. Although existing dissolvable products provide good performance benefits to end users, the processes for making them can have less than optimal cost, rate...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]A Structure in the form of a porous dissolvable solid, comprising: (a) from about 1 wt % to about 95 wt % surfactant; and (b) from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % of a vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein said copolymer comprises not more than about 84% alcohol units.

[0006]A Structure in the form of a porous dissolvable solid that is an open celled foam, comprising: (a) from about 1 wt % to about 75 wt % surfactant; and (b) from about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % of a vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein said copolymer comprises not more than about 84% alcohol units; wherein the foam Structure has a percent open cell of from about 80% to about 100%.

[0007]A Structure in the form of a porous dissolvable solid comprising a plurality of fibers comprising: (1) from about 1 wt % to about 95 wt % surfactant; and (2) from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % of a vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein said copolymer comprises not more than about 84% alcohol units.

[0008]A process for preparing a Structure in the form of a porous dissolvable solid that is an open celled foam, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a pre-mixture comprising (1) from about 1 wt % to about 75 wt % surfactant, (2) from about 0.1 wt % to about 25 wt % of a vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymer, (3) not more than about 60 wt % water, and (4) optionally from about 0.1 wt % to about 25 plasticizer; wherein the pre-mixture: (i) has a viscosity at 70° C. of from about 1000 cps to about 100,000 cps and (ii) is heated to a temperature in the range of

Problems solved by technology

While widely used, liquid products often have tradeoffs in terms of packaging, storage, transportation, and convenience of use.

Liquid consumer products typically are sold in bottles which add cost as well as packaging waste, much of wh

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