An active agent-containing article exhibiting consumer-acceptable article application properties

Abstract

Provided are articles containing an active agent (such as fibrous structures) that exhibit consumer-acceptable article application properties such as edge strength, edge width, flexibility, article size, and / or solubility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to articles containing active agents, such as fibrous structures, and more particularly to fibrous structures comprising one or more fibrous elements, such as multiple fibrous elements, the fibrous elements comprising one or more active agents releasable from at least one of the fibrous elements, such as filaments and / or fibers, wherein the article exhibits consumer-acceptable article application properties, such as edge strength, edge width, flexibility, solubility, and / or article size. Background Art

[0002] Articles, such as fibrous structures, are known in the art, the fibrous structures comprising one or more fibrous elements, such as filaments containing one or more active agents, the active agents being releasable from at least one of the filaments. However, formulators of such articles have been unable to achieve consumer-acceptable article application properties. For example, consumers expect the articles to exhibit sufficient structural integrity such that they do not prematurely break or separate during manufacture, during distribution in packaging, when dispensed by the consumer from the packaging, or in the hands of the consumer before and / or during use by the consumer, especially for articles comprising two or more fibrous structure laminae. In addition, consumers expect the articles to exhibit sufficient flexibility during use, either alone or in combination with one or more of the other consumer-acceptable article application properties described herein, such that the articles are not too stiff but also not too soft. Additionally, consumers expect the articles to exhibit sufficient solubility during use, either alone or in combination with one or more of the other consumer-acceptable article application properties described herein, whether in manual dissolution in personal care articles (such as shampoos, hair conditioners, body washes, and / or hand soaps) or in machine dissolution in laundry and / or dishwashing articles.

[0003] Regarding structural integrity, one problem associated with current articles having one or more fibrous elements containing one or more active agents is providing a suitable edge such that the article does not prematurely break during manufacture, during addition of a coating to the outer surface of one of the inner laminae of the article, during distribution in packaging, when dispensed by the consumer from the packaging, or in the hands of the consumer before and / or during use by the consumer, without adversely affecting flexibility, solubility, and / or other desired properties.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for articles, such as articles comprising a multi-layer sheet fibrous structure that includes one or more fibrous elements, such as a plurality of fibrous elements, such as filaments comprising one or more active agents, the active agent being releasable from at least one of the filaments that exhibits consumer-acceptable article application characteristics. Specifically, there is a need for such articles that further include a suitable seal edge that exhibits sufficient seal edge strength and seal edge width that allows the article to exhibit consumer-preferred characteristics, such as article flexibility, article size, and overall consumer-preferred performance, such as forming a smooth, creamy, foamy solution in the consumer's hand prior to application to a surface and being accommodated in the consumer's hand prior to and during initial dissolution. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present disclosure meets the above need by providing an article having one or more fibrous elements that include one or more active agents releasable from at least one of the fibrous elements, wherein the article exhibits consumer-acceptable application characteristics, such as one or more size requirements. Specifically, the present disclosure meets the need by providing an article that further includes an edge generally positioned along at least a portion of the perimeter of the article, wherein the article exhibits sufficient edge strength and seal edge width, and wherein the article exhibits acceptable consumer-preferred application characteristics, such as article size, flexibility, and solubility as described herein.

[0006] In one example of the present disclosure, there is provided an article having: one or more fibrous elements, wherein at least one of the fibrous elements includes one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents releasable from the fibrous element; and a seal edge generally positioned along at least a portion of the perimeter of the article; and wherein the article exhibits a seal edge strength of from about 0.1 N / in to about 4 N / in as measured according to a seal edge strength test method.

[0007] In another example of the present disclosure, there is provided an article having: one or more fibrous elements, wherein at least one of the fibrous elements includes one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents releasable from the fibrous element; and a seal edge generally positioned along at least a portion of the perimeter of the article; and wherein the seal edge has a seal edge width of from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm as measured according to a seal edge strength test method.

[0008] In another example of the present disclosure, an article is provided that has: one or more fiber elements, where at least one of the fiber elements includes one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents releasable from the fiber element; and a seal edge that is positioned generally along at least a portion of the perimeter of the article; and where the seal edge has a seal edge width of from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm as measured according to a seal edge strength test method; and where the article exhibits a seal edge strength of from about 0.1 N / in to about 4 N / in as measured according to a seal edge strength test method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 Schematic illustration of an example of a fiber element (in this case a filament) according to the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 Schematic illustration of an example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure that includes multiple filaments;

[0011] Figure 3 For Figure 2 Another schematic illustration of the article, showing the article dimensions.

[0012] Figure 4 Scanning electron micrograph of a cross-sectional view of an example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 5 Schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of another example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 6 Schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of another example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 7 Scanning electron micrograph of a cross-sectional view of another example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 8 Schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of another example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 9 Schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of another example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 10 Schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of another example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 11 Schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of another example of a fiber structure according to the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 12 Schematic illustration of an article having a seal edge;

[0021] Figure 13 Schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a product; Figure 12 Schematic diagram of an example of a method for preparing a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of an example of a method for preparing a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 15 Schematic diagram of an example of a die head in a method for Figure 14 with an enlarged view;

[0024] Figure 16 Schematic diagram of an example of another method for preparing a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 17 Schematic diagram of an example of another method for preparing another example of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 18 Schematic diagram of an example of another method for preparing another example of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 19 Representative image of an example of a patterned belt that can be used in a method for preparing a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 20 Schematic diagram of a regular die cutter;

[0029] Figure 21A Schematic diagram of a top view of a tool that can be used to form a product;

[0030] Figure 21B Schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view along line A-A of Figure 21A ;

[0031] Figure 21C Schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of the end of a tool shown in Figure 21B ;

[0032] Figure 22 Schematic diagram of a mechanical heating press for a method that can be used to form a product.

[0033] Figure 23 Schematic diagram of an example of a set of equipment used in measuring solubility according to the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 24 Schematic diagram during a dissolution test operation of Figure 18 ;

[0035] Figure 25 Schematic diagram of a top view of Figure 19 ;

[0036] Figure 26A A schematic diagram of an example of a set of devices for measuring the improved circular bending characteristics of a fiber structure according to an improved circular bending test method; and

[0037] Figure 26B is Figure 26A a schematic top view of a part of. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Definition

[0039] As used herein, "fiber structure" refers to a structure that includes one or more fiber elements and optionally one or more particles. In one example, a fiber structure according to the present disclosure refers to an association of fiber elements and optionally particles that together form a structure capable of performing a function such as a unitary structure.

[0040] The fiber structure of the present disclosure can be homogeneous or can be layered. If layered, the fiber structure can include at least two and / or at least three and / or at least four and / or at least five layers, such as one or more fiber element layers, one or more particle layers, and / or one or more fiber element / particle mixture layers. The layer can include a particle layer within the fiber structure or between fiber element layers within the fiber structure. A layer including fiber elements is sometimes referred to as a lamina. The lamina can be a fiber structure, which can be homogeneous or layered as described herein.

[0041] In one example, a single-lamina fiber structure according to the present disclosure or a multi-lamina fiber structure including one or more fiber structure laminae according to the present disclosure can exhibit a basis weight of less than 5000 g / m 2 measured according to the basis weight test method as described herein. In one example, a single-lamina or multi-lamina fiber structure according to the present disclosure can exhibit a basis weight of greater than 10 g / m 2 to about 5000 g / m 2 and / or greater than 10 g / m 2 to about 3000 g / m 2 and / or greater than 10 g / m 2 to about 2000 g / m 2 and / or greater than 10 g / m 2 to about 1000 g / m 2 and / or greater than 20 g / m 2 to about 800 g / m 2 and / or greater than 30 g / m 2 to about 600 g / m 2 and / or greater than 50 g / m 2 to about 500 g / m 2, and / or greater than 300 g / m 2 to about 3000 g / m 2 , and / or greater than 500 g / m 2 to about 2000 g / m 2 basis weight.

[0042] In one example, the fibrous structure of the present disclosure is an "integral fibrous structure".

[0043] As used herein, an "integral fibrous structure" is an arrangement of multiple sets of two or more and / or three or more fibrous elements that are entangled or otherwise associated with each other to form a fibrous structure and / or laminae of the fibrous structure. The integral fibrous structure of the present disclosure can be one or more laminae within a multi-laminate fibrous structure. In one example, the integral fibrous structure of the present disclosure can include three or more different fibrous elements. In another example, the integral fibrous structure of the present disclosure can include three or more different fibrous elements.

[0044] As used herein, an "article" refers to a consumer use unit, a consumer use unit dose, a consumer use salable unit, a single dose unit, or other forms of use that include an integral fibrous structure and / or include one or more fibrous structures of the present disclosure.

[0045] As used herein, a "fibrous element" refers to an elongated particle whose length is much greater than its average diameter, i.e., the ratio of length to average diameter is at least about 10. The fibrous element can be a filament or a fiber. In one example, the fibrous element is a single fibrous element rather than a yarn that includes multiple fibrous elements.

[0046] The fibrous elements of the present disclosure can be spun from a filament-forming composition (also referred to as a fibrous element-forming composition) via suitable spinning processes such as meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning, and / or rotary spinning.

[0047] The fibrous elements of the present disclosure can be single-component (a single, integral solid piece rather than two different components such as a core / shell bicomponent) and / or multi-component. For example, the fibrous element can include bicomponent fibers and / or filaments. The bicomponent fibers and / or filaments can be in any form such as side-by-side type, core-shell type, sea-island type, etc.

[0048] As used herein, a "filament" refers to an elongated particle as described above that exhibits a length greater than or equal to 5.08 cm (2 inches), and / or greater than or equal to 7.62 cm (3 inches), and / or greater than or equal to 10.16 cm (4 inches), and / or greater than or equal to 15.24 cm (6 inches).

[0049] Filaments are generally considered to be substantially continuous or essentially continuous. Filaments are relatively longer than fibers. Non-limiting examples of filaments include meltblown and / or spunbond filaments. Non-limiting examples of polymers that can be spun into filaments include natural polymers (such as starches, starch derivatives, cellulose such as rayon and / or lyocell and cellulose derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives) and synthetic polymers (including but not limited to polyvinyl alcohol and thermoplastic polymer filaments such as polyester, nylon, polyolefins (such as polypropylene filaments, polyethylene filaments), and biodegradable thermoplastic fibers such as polylactic acid filaments, polyhydroxyalkanoate filaments, polyesteramide filaments, and polycaprolactone filaments).

[0050] As used herein, "fiber" refers to the elongated particles as described above, which exhibit a length less than 5.08 cm (2 inches), and / or less than 3.81 cm (1.5 inches), and / or less than 2.54 cm (1 inch).

[0051] Fibers are generally considered to be substantially discontinuous. Non-limiting examples of fibers include staple fibers, which are prepared by spinning filaments or filament tows of the present disclosure and then cutting the filaments or filament tows into segments less than 5.08 cm (2 inches) in length to prepare the fibers.

[0052] In one example, one or more fibers can be formed from the filaments of the present disclosure, such as when the filaments are cut into shorter lengths (such as lengths less than 5.08 cm). Thus, in one example, the present disclosure also includes fibers made from the filaments of the present disclosure, such as fibers comprising one or more filament-forming materials and one or more additives such as active agents. Thus, unless otherwise specified, the filaments and / or multiple filaments referred to in the present disclosure also include fibers made from such filaments and / or multiple filaments. Relative to filaments that are considered to be substantially continuous, fibers are generally considered to be substantially discontinuous.

[0053] As used herein, "filament-forming composition" and / or "fiber-element-forming composition" refer to compositions suitable for preparing the fiber elements of the present disclosure, such as by meltblowing and / or spunbonding. The filament-forming composition comprises one or more filament-forming materials that exhibit properties that make them suitable for spinning into fiber elements. In one example, the filament-forming material comprises a polymer. In addition to one or more filament-forming materials, the filament-forming composition can also comprise one or more additives, such as one or more active agents. Further, the filament-forming composition can comprise one or more polar solvents such as water, in which one or more, for example all, of the filament-forming materials and / or one or more, for example all, of the active agents are dissolved and / or dispersed prior to spinning the fiber elements, such as spinning filaments from the filament-forming composition.

[0054] In asFigure 1 In one example shown, the filament 10 of the present disclosure made of a composition of fiber elements such as those of the present disclosure is a filament in which one or more additives 12, such as one or more active agents, may be present in the filament rather than on the filament, such as a coating composition containing one or more active agents (which may be the same as or different from the active agents in the fiber elements and / or particles). The total level of the fiber element forming material and the total level of the active agent present in the fiber element forming composition can be any suitable amount as long as the fiber element of the present disclosure is obtained therefrom.

[0055] In one example, one or more additives such as active agents may be present in the fiber element, and one or more additional additives such as active agents may be present on the surface of the fiber element. In another example, the fiber element of the present disclosure may contain one or more additives such as active agents that are present in the fiber element when initially prepared but aggregate on the surface of the fiber element before and / or during exposure to the intended use conditions of the fiber element.

[0056] As used herein, "filament forming material" and / or "fiber element forming material" refer to materials that exhibit properties suitable for preparing fiber elements, such as polymers or monomers capable of producing polymers. In one example, the filament forming material comprises one or more substituted polymers such as anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and / or nonionic polymers. In another example, the polymer may include hydroxy polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol ("PVOH"), partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, and / or polysaccharides such as starch and / or starch derivatives such as ethoxylated starch and / or acid hydrolyzed starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose. In another example, the polymer may include polyethylene and / or terephthalic acid. In another example, the filament forming material is a material soluble in polar solvents.

[0057] As used herein, "particle" refers to solid additives such as powders, granules, capsules, microcapsules, and / or spheroids. In one example, the particles exhibit a median particle size of 2000 μm or less as measured by the median particle size test method described herein. In another example, the particles exhibit a median particle size of about 1 μm to about 2000 μm, and / or about 1 μm to about 1600 μm, and / or about 1 μm to about 800 μm, and / or about 5 μm to about 500 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 300 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 100 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 50 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 30 μm as measured by the median particle size test method described herein. The shape of the particles can be in the form of spheres, rods, plates, tubes, squares, rectangles, disks, stars, fibers, or have regular or irregular random shapes.

[0058] As used herein, "active agent-containing particles" refers to solid additives that contain one or more active agents. In one example, the active agent-containing particles are active agents in particulate form (in other words, the particles contain 100% of one or more active agents). The active agent-containing particles can exhibit a median particle size of 2000 μm or less as measured by the median particle size test method described herein. In another example, the active agent-containing particles exhibit a median particle size of about 1 μm to about 2000 μm, and / or about 1 μm to about 800 μm, and / or about 5 μm to about 500 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 300 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 100 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 50 μm, and / or about 10 μm to about 30 μm as measured by the median particle size test method described herein. In one example, one or more of the active agents are in the form of particles that exhibit a median particle size of 20 μm or less as measured by the median particle size test method described herein.

[0059] In one example of the present disclosure, the fibrous structure comprises a plurality of particles such as active agent-containing particles, and a plurality of fibrous elements, and the weight ratio of the particles such as active agent-containing particles to the fibrous elements is 1:100 or greater, and / or 1:50 or greater, and / or 1:10 or greater, and / or 1:3 or greater, and / or 1:2 or greater, and / or 1:1 or greater, and / or 2:1 or greater, and / or 3:1 or greater, and / or 4:1 or greater, and / or 5:1 or greater, and / or 7:1 or greater, and / or 8:1 or greater, and / or 10:1 or greater, and / or about 10:1 to about 1:100, and / or about 8:1 to about 1:50, and / or about 7:1 to about 1:10, and / or about 7:1 to about 1:3, and / or about 6:1 to 1:2, and / or about 5:1 to about 1:1, and / or about 4:1 to about 1:1, and / or about 3:1 to about 1.5:1.

[0060] In another example of the present disclosure, the fibrous structure comprises a plurality of particles such as active agent-containing particles, and a plurality of fibrous elements, and the weight ratio of the particles such as active agent-containing particles to the fibrous elements is about 10:1 to about 1:1, and / or about 8:1 to about 1.5:1, and / or about 7:1 to about 2:1, and / or about 6:1 to about 2.5:1.

[0061] In another example of the present disclosure, the fibrous structure comprises a plurality of particles such as active agent-containing particles, and a plurality of fibrous elements, and the weight ratio of the particles such as active agent-containing particles to the fibrous elements is about 1:1 to about 1:100, and / or about 1:15 to about 1:80, and / or about 1:2 to about 1:60, and / or about 1:3 to about 1:50, and / or about 1:3 to about 1:40.

[0062] In another example, the fibrous structure of the present disclosure includes a plurality of particles, such as particles containing an active agent. As measured by the basis weight testing method described herein, the basis weight of the particles is greater than 1 g / m 2 and / or greater than 10 g / m 2 and / or greater than 20 g / m 2 and / or greater than 30 g / m 2 and / or greater than 40 g / m 2 and / or about 1 g / m 2 to about 5000 g / m 2 and / or to about 3500 g / m 2 and / or to about 2000 g / m 2 and / or about 1 g / m 2 to about 2000 g / m 2 and / or about 10 g / m 2 to about 1000 g / m 2 and / or about 10 g / m 2 to about 500 g / m 2 and / or about 20 g / m 2 to about 400 g / m 2 and / or about 30 g / m 2 to about 300 g / m 2 and / or about 40 g / m 2 to about 200 g / m 2 . In one example, the fibrous structure includes two or more particle layers, such as particle layers containing an active agent. For example, each particle layer is present at a basis weight of about 1 g / m 2 to about 500 g / m 2 . In one example, the plurality of particles are present in the article as two or more laminae within a multi-layer sheet article. In one example, the plurality of particles are present in the article as two or more laminae within a multi-layer sheet article. In another example, the plurality of particles are present in the article as a particle layer between two or more laminae within a multi-layer sheet article.

[0063] In another example, the fibrous structure of the present disclosure includes a plurality of fibrous elements. As measured by the basis weight testing method described herein, the basis weight of the fibrous elements is greater than 1 g / m 2 and / or greater than 10 g / m 2 and / or greater than 20 g / m 2 and / or greater than 30 g / m 2 and / or greater than 40 g / m 2 and / or about 1 g / m 2 to about 5000 g / m 2 and / or about 1 g / m 2to about 3000 g / m 2 and / or about 10 g / m 2 to about 5000 g / m 2 and / or to about 3000 g / m 2 and / or to about 2000 g / m 2 and / or about 20 g / m 2 to about 2000 g / m 2 and / or about 30 g / m 2 to about 1000 g / m 2 and / or about 30 g / m 2 to about 500 g / m 2 and / or about 30 g / m 2 to about 300 g / m 2 and / or about 40 g / m 2 to about 100 g / m 2 and / or about 40 g / m 2 to about 80 g / m 2 。In one example, the fibrous structure includes two or more layers, wherein the fibrous elements are present in at least one of the layers at a basis weight of about 1 g / m 2 to about 500 g / m 2 。In one example, a plurality of fibrous elements are present in the article as two or more laminae within a multi-layer sheet article.

[0064] As used herein, "additive" refers to any material present in the fibrous elements of the present disclosure that is not a filament-forming material. In one example, the additive comprises an active agent. In another example, the additive comprises a processing aid. In another example, the additive comprises a filler. In one example, the additive comprises any material present in the fibrous element, the absence of which in the fibrous element will not cause the fibrous element to lose its fibrous element structure, in other words, the absence of which does not cause the fibrous element to lose its solid form. In another example, the additive, such as an active agent, comprises a non-polymeric material.

[0065] In another example, the additive can include a plasticizer for the fibrous element. Non-limiting examples of suitable plasticizers for the present disclosure include polyols, copolyols, polycarboxylic acids, polyesters, and polydimethylsiloxane copolyols. Examples of available polyols include, but are not limited to, glycerol, diglycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hexylene glycol, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane-1,3-diol, polyethylene glycol (200 to 600), pentaerythritol, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, and other mono- and polyvalent low molecular weight alcohols (e.g., C2-C8 alcohols); monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, and high fructose corn syrup solids, and dextrin, and ascorbic acid.

[0066] In one example, the plasticizer includes glycerol and / or propylene glycol and / or glycerol derivatives such as propoxylated glycerol. In another example, the plasticizer is selected from glycerol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycidol, urea, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, sugars, ethylenebisformamide, amino acids, and mixtures thereof

[0067] In another example, the additive can include a rheology modifier, such as a shear modifier and / or a stretch modifier. Non-limiting examples of rheology modifiers include, but are not limited to, polyacrylamides, polyurethanes, and polyacrylates that can be used in the fibrous elements of the present disclosure. Non-limiting examples of rheology modifiers are commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, MI).

[0068] In another example, the additive can include one or more colorants and / or dyes incorporated into the fibrous elements of the present disclosure to provide a visual signal when the fibrous elements are exposed to the intended use conditions and / or when the active agent is released from the fibrous elements and / or when the morphology of the fibrous elements changes.

[0069] In another example, the additive can include one or more release agents and / or lubricants. Non-limiting examples of suitable release agents and / or lubricants include fatty acids, fatty acid salts, fatty alcohols, fatty acid esters, sulfonated fatty acid esters, fatty amine acetates, fatty acid amides, silicones, amino silicones, fluoropolymers, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the release agent and / or lubricant can be applied to the fiber element, in other words, after the fiber element is formed. In one example, one or more release agent / lubricants can be applied to the fiber element before the fiber element is collected on a collection device to form a fibrous structure. In another example, one or more release agent / lubricants can be applied to the fibrous structure formed from the fiber elements of the present disclosure before contacting one or more fibrous structures, such as in a stack of fibrous structures. In another example, one or more release agent / lubricants can be applied to the fiber elements of the present disclosure and / or the fibrous structure comprising the fiber elements before the fiber elements and / or the fibrous structure contact a surface, such as the surface of a device for a processing system, thereby facilitating the removal of the fiber elements and / or the fibrous structure and / or preventing the layers of the fiber elements and / or the laminae of the fibrous structure of the present disclosure from sticking to each other, even inadvertently. In one example, the release agent / lubricant includes particulates.

[0070] In yet another example, the additive can include one or more anti-blocking agents and / or anti-sticking agents. Non-limiting examples of suitable anti-blocking agents and / or anti-sticking agents include starches, starch derivatives, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, cross-linked cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, metal oxides, calcium carbonate, talc, mica, and mixtures thereof.

[0071] As used herein, "intended use conditions" refer to the temperature conditions, physical conditions, chemical conditions, and / or mechanical conditions to which a fibrous element and / or particle and / or fibrous structure of the present disclosure is exposed when used for one or more of its designed purposes. For example, if a fibrous element and / or particle and / or fibrous structure containing the fibrous element is designed for use in a washing machine for laundry care purposes, the intended use conditions will include those temperature conditions, chemical conditions, physical conditions, and / or mechanical conditions present in the washing machine during a laundry wash cycle, including any wash water. In another example, if a fibrous element and / or particle and / or fibrous structure containing the fibrous element is designed as a shampoo for hair care purposes for human use, the intended use conditions will include those temperature conditions, chemical conditions, physical conditions, and / or mechanical conditions present during the washing of human hair with the shampoo. Similarly, if a fibrous element and / or particle and / or fibrous structure containing the fibrous element is designed for use in a dishwashing operation by hand or by a dishwasher, the intended use conditions will include those temperature conditions, chemical conditions, physical conditions, and / or mechanical conditions present in the dishwashing water and / or the dishwasher during the dishwashing operation.

[0072] As used herein, "active agent" refers to an additive that produces an intended effect in the environment external to a fibrous element and / or particle and / or fibrous structure when the fibrous element and / or particle and / or fibrous structure containing the fibrous element of the present disclosure is exposed to the intended use conditions of the fibrous element and / or particle and / or fibrous structure containing the fibrous element. In one example, the active agent comprises an additive that treats surfaces such as hard surfaces (i.e., kitchen countertops, bathtubs, bathrooms, toilets, sinks, floors, walls, teeth, vehicles, windows, mirrors, dishes) and / or soft surfaces (i.e., fabrics, hair, skin, carpets, crops, plants). In another example, the active agent comprises an additive that produces a chemical reaction (i.e., foaming, bubbling, effervescing, coloring, heating, cooling, foaming, disinfecting, and / or clarifying and / or chlorinating, such as producing a chemical reaction in clarified water and / or disinfected water and / or chlorinated water). In another example, the active agent comprises an additive that treats the environment (i.e., deodorizing, purifying, scenting the air). In one example, the active agent is formed in situ, for example during the formation of a fibrous element and / or particle containing the active agent. For example, the fibrous element and / or particle may contain a water-soluble polymer (such as starch) and a surfactant (such as an anionic surfactant), which may produce a polymer complex or aggregate that acts as an active agent for treating the fabric surface.

[0073] As used herein, "treatment" relative to a treated surface means that an active agent provides a beneficial effect to the surface or environment. Treatment includes conditioning and / or immediately improving the appearance, cleanliness, odor, purity, and / or feel of the surface or environment. In one example, treatment of the surface of a keratinous tissue (such as skin and / or hair) means conditioning and / or immediately improving the cosmetic appearance and / or feel of the keratinous tissue. For example, "conditioning the condition of the skin, hair, or fingernails (keratinous tissue)" includes: thickening the skin, hair, or fingernails (e.g., constructing the epidermal and / or dermal and / or subcutaneous [e.g., subcutaneous fat or muscle] layers of the skin, and the applicable cuticle of the fingernails and hair shafts) to reduce atrophy of the skin, hair, or fingernails; increasing the crimp of the dermal-epidermal border (also known as the rete border); preventing loss of skin or hair elasticity (loss, destruction, and / or inactivation of functional dermal elastin) such as the recoil of elastosis, sagging, skin loss, or hair deformation; changes in the coloring of the skin, hair, or fingernails by melanin or non-melanin, such as dark circles under the eyes, macules (e.g., uneven redness caused by, for example, rosacea) (hereinafter referred to as "erythema"), sallowness (grayish white), discoloration caused by telangiectasia or spider veins, and graying of the hair. Treatment can include providing a beneficial effect to a fabric during cleaning or softening in a washing machine, such as providing a beneficial effect to hair during shampooing, conditioning, or hair coloring, or providing a beneficial effect to an environment such as a toilet bowl by cleaning or disinfecting.

[0074] In another example, treatment means removing stains and / or odors from fabric articles such as clothes, towels, linens, and / or hard surfaces such as worktops and / or dishes including pots and pans.

[0075] As used herein, "fabric care active agent" means an active agent that provides a beneficial effect and / or improvement to a fabric when applied to the fabric. Non-limiting examples of beneficial effects and / or improvements to the fabric include cleaning (e.g., cleaning by a surfactant), soil release effect, stain reduction, wrinkle removal, color restoration, static control, anti-wrinkle, durable press, abrasion reduction, abrasion resistance, pilling removal, anti-pilling, detergency, scale removal, scale prevention (including detergency), shape retention, shrinkage reduction, softness, fragrance, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-odor, and odor removal.

[0076] As used herein, "dishwashing surfactant" refers to a surfactant that provides beneficial effects and / or improvements to dishes, glassware, jars, plates, utensils, and / or cooktops when applied thereto. Non-limiting examples of beneficial effects and / or improvements to dishes, glassware, plastic products, jars, plates, utensils, and / or cooktops include removal of food and / or dirt, cleaning (e.g., cleaning by surfactant), detergency effects, reduction of stains, removal of grease, removal of scale and / or prevention of scale formation, glass and metal care, disinfection, brightening, and polishing.

[0077] As used herein, "hard surface surfactant" refers to a surfactant that provides beneficial effects and / or improvements to floors, countertops, sinks, windows, mirrors, showers, bathtubs, and / or toilets when applied thereto. Non-limiting examples of beneficial effects and / or improvements to floors, countertops, sinks, windows, mirrors, showers, bathtubs, and / or toilets include removal of food and / or dirt, cleaning (e.g., cleaning by surfactant), detergency effects, reduction of stains, removal of grease, removal of water stains and / or prevention of water stains, removal of scale, disinfection, brightening, polishing, and freshening.

[0078] As used herein, "keratinous tissue surfactant" refers to a surfactant that can be used to treat conditions of keratinous tissue (e.g., hair, skin, or fingernails / toenails). For hair care surfactants, "treatment" includes modulating and / or immediately improving the cosmetic appearance and / or feel of the keratinous tissue. For example, "modulating the condition of skin, hair, or fingernails / toenails" includes: thickening the skin, hair, or fingernails / toenails (e.g., constructing the epidermis and / or dermis and / or subcutaneous [e.g., subcutaneous fat or muscle] layers of the skin, and the applicable cuticle of the fingernails / toenails and hair shafts) to reduce atrophy of the skin, hair, or fingernails / toenails; increasing the undulation of the dermal-epidermal border (also known as the rete ridge); preventing loss of skin or hair elasticity (loss, destruction, and / or inactivation of functional cutaneous elastin) such as the recoil of elastosis, sagging, skin loss, or hair deformation; changes in the coloring of the skin, hair, or fingernails / toenails by melanin or non-melanin, such as dark circles under the eyes, macules (e.g., uneven redness caused by, for example, rosacea) (hereinafter referred to as "erythema"), sallowness (grayish white), discoloration caused by telangiectasia or spider veins, and graying of the hair. Another example of a keratinous tissue surfactant can be a surfactant used for washing, conditioning, or coloring hair with shampoo.

[0079] As used herein, "weight ratio" refers to the ratio between two materials based on their dry weights. For example, the weight ratio of the filament-forming material to the active agent within the fibrous element is the ratio of the weight (g or %) of the filament-forming material based on the dry weight of the fibrous element to the weight (g or %, in the same unit as the weight of the filament-forming material) of an additive such as one or more active agents based on the dry weight of the fibrous element. In another example, the weight ratio of the particles to the fibrous element within the fibrous structure is the ratio of the weight (g or %) of the particles based on the dry weight of the fibrous structure to the weight (g or %, in the same unit as the weight of the particles) of the fibrous element based on the dry weight of the fibrous structure.

[0080] As used herein, "water-soluble material" refers to a material that is miscible in water. In other words, it is a material that can form a stable (no separation occurs after more than 5 minutes of forming a homogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with water under ambient conditions.

[0081] As used herein, "ambient conditions" refers to 23°C ± 1.0°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity.

[0082] As used herein, "weight-average molecular weight" refers to the weight-average molecular weight determined using gel permeation chromatography according to the procedure described in Colloids and Surfaces A. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Volume 162, 2000, pages 107 - 121.

[0083] As used herein, "article dimensions" refer to the length, width, height, mass, volume, density, etc. of the article.

[0084] As used herein, with respect to a fibrous element, "length" refers to the length from one end to the other along the longest axis of the fibrous element. If the fibrous element has knots, curls, or bends therein, the length is the length of the entire path along the fibrous element from one end to the other. With respect to the dimensions of an article, "length" can be defined in different ways. For example, with respect to an article of irregular shape, the length refers to the maximum Feret diameter or caliper distance, which is the longest distance between two parallel planes tangent to the boundaries of the article. For example, for a straight article, the length refers to the distance from one edge to the opposite edge. In one example, the average length can be provided by measuring ten substantially similar parallel articles, compiling the average of the ten individual article length measurements, and reporting the value to an accuracy of 0.01 cm, where the individual article length measurements can be made using any suitable instrument that is calibrated, NIST-traceable, and capable of accurately measuring to 0.01 cm.

[0085] As used herein, relative to a fibrous element, "diameter" is measured according to the diameter test method described herein. In one example, the fibrous elements of the present disclosure exhibit a diameter of less than 100 μm, and / or less than 75 μm, and / or less than 50 μm, and / or less than 25 μm, and / or less than 20 μm, and / or less than 15 μm, and / or less than 10 μm, and / or less than 6 μm, and / or greater than 1 μm, and / or greater than 3 μm.

[0086] As used herein, relative to the size of an article, "width" may refer to a measurement according to its conventional definition. For example, for a straight article, the width is the distance from one edge to the opposite edge. However, relative to an article of irregular shape, the width is the maximum Feret diameter or caliper distance, which is the longest distance between two parallel planes tangent to the boundary of the article. In one example, the average width may be provided by measuring ten substantially similar parallel articles, compiling the average of the width measurements of the ten individual articles, and reporting the value to an accuracy of 0.01 cm, where the individual article width measurements may be made by any suitable instrument that is calibrated, NIST-traceable, and capable of accurately measuring to 0.01 cm.

[0087] As used herein, relative to the size of an article, "height" may refer to a measurement according to its conventional definition. The height or thickness of an article, for example, may be measured by the thickness test method described herein.

[0088] As used herein, relative to the size of an article, "volume" may refer to a measurement according to its conventional definition. For example, the volume of an article may be calculated by measuring the projected area of the article, as observed in a plane orthogonal to the length and width of the article, and multiplying that area by the height of the article. In one example, the average volume may be provided by measuring ten substantially similar parallel articles, compiling the average of the volume measurements of the ten individual articles, and reporting the value to an accuracy of 0.01 cc.

[0089] As used herein, relative to an article, "mass" may refer to a measurement according to its conventional definition. For example, the mass of an article may be measured using a top-loading analytical balance with a resolution of ±0.01 g, where the balance is protected from air currents and other interferences by an air draft shield. After conditioning the article, the mass of the article may be accurately measured to 0.01 g. In one example, the average mass may be provided by measuring ten substantially similar parallel articles, compiling the average of the mass measurements of the ten individual articles, and reporting the value to an accuracy of 0.01 g.

[0090] As used herein, with respect to an article, "density" may refer to a measurement according to its conventional definition such that density can be calculated by dividing the mass of the article by its volume. In one example, density may be reported to an accuracy of 0.01 g / cc.

[0091] As used herein, "triggering condition" in one example refers to anything, as an action or event, for stimulating and initiating or facilitating a change in the fiber elements and / or particles and / or fiber structures of the present disclosure, such as a loss or alteration of the physical structure of the fiber elements and / or fiber structure and / or release of an additive such as an active agent therefrom. In another example, when the fiber elements and / or particles and / or fiber structures of the present disclosure are added to water, a triggering condition may exist in the environment such as in the water. In other words, except for the fact that the fiber elements and / or fiber structures of the present disclosure are added to water, there is no change in the water.

[0092] As used herein, with respect to a morphological change of a fiber element and / or particle, "morphological change" refers to a change in the physical structure that the fiber element undergoes. Non-limiting examples of morphological changes of the fiber elements and / or particles of the present disclosure include dissolution, melting, swelling, shrinking, breaking into pieces, bursting, becoming longer, becoming shorter, and combinations thereof. When the fiber elements and / or particles of the present disclosure are exposed to the intended use conditions, they may completely or substantially lose their fiber element or particle physical structure or may have their morphology changed or they may retain or substantially retain their fiber element or particle physical structure.

[0093] "Based on the weight of the dry fiber element" and / or "based on the weight of the dry particle" and / or "based on the weight of the dry fiber structure" means the weight of the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure measured immediately after conditioning the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure in a conditioning chamber at 23°C ± 1.0°C and 50% ± 10% relative humidity for 2 hours. In one example, based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or based on the weight of the dry particle and / or based on the weight of the dry fiber structure means, as measured according to the water content test method described herein, based on the dry weight of the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure moisture, the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure containing less than 20%, and / or less than 15%, and / or less than 10%, and / or less than 7%, and / or less than 5%, and / or less than 3%, and / or up to 0%, and / or up to greater than 0% moisture, such as water, for example free water.

[0094] As used herein, "total level", for example with respect to the total level of one or more active agents present in a fibrous element and / or particles and / or a fibrous structure, refers to the sum of the weights or weight percentages of all the matrix materials, such as the active agents. In other words, the fibrous element and / or particles and / or fibrous structure may contain 25% anionic surfactant, 15% nonionic surfactant, 10% chelating agent, and 5% fragrance, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry particles and / or dry fibrous structure, such that the total level of active agents present in the fibrous element and / or particles and / or fibrous structure is greater than 50%; i.e., 55% based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry particles and / or dry fibrous structure.

[0095] As used herein, "fibrous structure product" refers to a solid form, such as a rectangular solid, sometimes referred to as a sheet, which contains one or more active agents, such as fabric care active agents, dishwashing active agents, hard surface active agents, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the fibrous structure product of the present disclosure contains one or more surfactants, one or more enzymes (such as in the form of enzyme granules), one or more fragrances, and / or one or more defoamers. In another example, the fibrous structure product of the present disclosure contains builders and / or chelating agents. In another example, the fibrous structure product of the present disclosure contains bleaches (such as encapsulated bleaches).

[0096] As used herein, "different from" or "different" with respect to a material such as an entire fibrous element and / or the filament-forming material within the fibrous element and / or the active agent within the fibrous element means that one material such as a fibrous element and / or filament-forming material and / or active agent is chemically, physically, and / or structurally different from another material such as a fibrous element and / or filament-forming material and / or active agent. For example, a filament-forming material in filament form is different from the same filament-forming material in fiber form. Similarly, a starch polymer is different from a cellulose polymer. However, for the purposes of the present disclosure, the same material with different molecular weights, such as starches with different molecular weights, are not different materials from each other.

[0097] As used herein, "random mixture of polymers" refers to the random combination of two or more different filament-forming materials to form a fibrous element. Thus, for the purposes of the present disclosure, two or more different filament-forming materials that are ordered to form a fibrous element, such as a core-shell bicomponent fibrous element, are not a random mixture of different filament-forming materials.

[0098] As used herein, with respect to fiber elements and / or particles, "Associate", "Associated", "Association" and / or "Associating" mean that the fiber elements and / or particles are combined by direct contact and / or indirect contact such that a fibrous structure is formed. In one example, the associated fiber elements and / or particles can be bonded together, for example, by an adhesive and / or heat bonding. In another example, the fiber elements and / or particles can be associated with each other by depositing them onto the same fibrous structure to prepare a web and / or a patterned web.

[0099] In one example, two or more fibrous structure laminae can be bonded together by a chemical binder such as an adhesive, such as an aqueous adhesive. In another example, two or more fibrous structure laminae can be bonded together by mechanically entangling fiber elements, such as filaments, from one fibrous structure lamina into an adjacent fibrous structure lamina of a multi-lamina fibrous structure (such as a multi-lamina article). In another example, two or more fibrous structure laminae can be bonded together by forming a pressure bond between two adjacent fibrous structure laminae of a multi-lamina fibrous structure.

[0100] As used herein, "longitudinal" or "MD" means the direction parallel to the flow of the fibrous structure through a fibrous structure making machine and / or a fibrous structure product manufacturing apparatus.

[0101] As used herein, "transverse" or "CD" means the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the same plane of the fibrous structure and / or a fibrous structure product containing the fibrous structure.

[0102] As used herein, "lamina" or "laminae" means a separate fibrous structure optionally disposed in a substantially continuous face-to-face relationship with other laminae so as to form a multi-lamina fibrous structure. It is also contemplated that a single fibrous structure can effectively form two "laminae" or multiple "laminae" by, for example, folding onto itself. The laminae can include a filament layer, a filament / particle blend layer, and / or a particle layer. In another example, a filament layer or a particle layer can be present between the laminae.

[0103] As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" when used herein, such as "an anionic surfactant" or "a fiber", are understood to mean one or more of the materials claimed or described.

[0104] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and ratios are by weight. Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and ratios are based on the total composition.

[0105] Unless otherwise indicated, all component or composition levels refer to the level of the active substance of that component or composition and do not include impurities that may be present in commercially available sources, such as residual solvents or by-products.

[0106] Article dimensions and edge - sealing characteristics

[0107] The fibrous structures of the present disclosure can include a plurality of fiber elements, such as filaments, such as a plurality of filaments containing an active agent; and optionally one or more particles, such as one or more particles containing an active agent, such as water-soluble, active-agent-containing particles and / or water-insoluble particles, such as zeolites, porous zeolites, fragrance-loaded zeolites, active-substance-loaded zeolites, silica, fragrance-loaded silica, active-substance-loaded zeolites, fragrance microcapsules, clays, and mixtures thereof.

[0108] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that before dissolution in the hands of the consumer, the seal strength, seal width, and / or article size can contribute to achieving the most preferred combination for the consumer of article performance factors with factors including the consumer-preferred article flexibility, and accommodation and placement in the consumer's palm just before and during initial dissolution.

[0109] Furthermore, it is believed that achieving an appropriate balance between each of the seal strength and seal width and providing the desired article size can contribute to achieving the most preferred performance for the consumer, such as forming a smooth, silky, and foamy solution when conforming to the consumer's palm before application to the surface to be treated. It is also believed that an excellent combination of the performance of the article in the dry state as measured by flexibility and dispensing during initial dissolution (as measured by manual solubility test methods), the ability to conform within the consumer's palm just before and during initial dissolution, and the performance when applied to the surface to be treated can be provided.

[0110] In certain examples, the article can have one or more fiber elements, where at least one of the fiber elements includes one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents releasable from the fiber element. Such an article can also include a seal located generally along at least a portion of the perimeter of the article. By providing a seal with sufficient seal strength, the article can remain intact during preparation, distribution, dispensing, and handling by the consumer before use. However, if the seal strength is too great, the article may not meet consumer expectations. For example, if the seal is too strong, the seal can be too dense and non-porous such that the seal can be difficult to dissolve even if the other parts of the article dissolve sufficiently. It is believed that the present disclosure provides a desired range of seal strength such that the article can include a seal that can maintain its structural integrity without adversely affecting flexibility, solubility, and / or other consumer-acceptable article application characteristics.

[0111] In some examples, the edge seal strength can be enhanced by increasing the edge seal width. However, providing too large an edge seal width can adversely affect the article application properties acceptable to the consumer. For example, too large an edge seal width can result in an appearance that is unappealing to the consumer, increased article cost, and a higher risk of incomplete dissolution. It has also been found that edge seals containing a high level of particles may not meet the edge seal strength requirements because the particles interfere with the bonding within the edge seal. However, the presence of particles in the edge seal can allow for the desired dissolution of the edge seal and the overall article. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the particles may help keep the edge seal open and porous so that the edge seal can be accessed by the dissolution mechanism. As with edge seal strength, it is believed that a balance must be achieved in terms of the edge seal width and the amount of particles used in the edge seal. It is also believed that such a balance is achieved by the articles of the present disclosure.

[0112] In some examples, the article may exhibit an edge seal strength of from about 0.1 N / in to about 4 N / in, or any value therebetween. Thus, in some examples, the article may exhibit an edge seal strength of from about 0.1 N / in to about 3 N / in; from about 0.2 N / in to about 3 N / in; from about 0.2 N / in to about 2 N / in; from about 0.2 N / in to about 1 N / in; from about 0.3 N / in to about 1 N / in; or from about 0.3 N / in to about 0.8 N / in. In one example, the article may exhibit an edge seal strength of about 0.4 N / in. Edge seal strength measurements are made in accordance with the edge seal strength test method described herein.

[0113] In some examples, the edge seal may have an edge seal width of from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm, or any value therebetween. Thus, in some examples, the edge seal may have an edge seal width of from about 0.8 mm to about 3.5 mm; from about 1 mm to 3 mm; from about 1.2 mm to 2.8 mm; from about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm; or from about 1.6 mm to about 2 mm. In one example, the edge seal may have an edge seal width of about 1.7 mm. Edge seal width measurements are made in accordance with the edge seal strength test method described herein.

[0114] In some examples, the article may have a length of from about 1 cm to about 20 cm; from about 2 cm to about 20 cm; from about 2 cm to about 18 cm; from about 3 cm to about 15 cm; from about 3 cm to about 12 cm; from about 4 cm to about 8 cm; from about 4 cm to about 6 cm; or from about 5 cm to about 6 cm. In some examples, the article may have a length of from about 1 cm to about 10 cm; from about 2 cm to about 10 cm; or from about 7 cm to about 9 cm.

[0115] In some examples, the article can have a width of from about 1 cm to about 11 cm; from about 2 cm to about 11 cm; from about 2 cm to about 10 cm; from about 3 cm to about 9 cm; from about 4 cm to about 8 cm; or from about 4 cm to about 6 cm. In some examples, the article can have a width of from about 1 cm to about 6 cm; from about 2 cm to about 6 cm; from about 3 cm to about 5 cm; or from about 3.5 cm to about 4.5 cm. In other examples, the article can have a width of from about 6 cm to about 8 cm.

[0116] In some examples, the ratio of the length to the width of the article can be from about 3:1 to about 0.5:1; from about 5:2 to about 0.5:1; or from about 2:1 to about 1:1.

[0117] The article can have a height or thickness of about 0.01 mm or greater; about 0.05 mm or greater; about 0.1 mm or greater; about 0.5 mm or greater; about 1 mm or greater; about 2 mm or greater; about 3 mm or greater; or about 4 mm or greater. In some examples, the article can have a height or thickness of about 50 mm or less; about 20 mm or less; about 10 mm or less; about 8 mm or less; about 6 mm or less; about 5 mm or less; about 4 mm or less; about 3 mm or less; about 2 mm or less; about 1 mm or less; about 0.5 mm or less; or about 0.3 mm. Thus, in some examples, the article can have a height of from about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm; from about 0.01 mm to about 44 mm; from about 0.1 mm to about 50 mm; from about 0.1 mm to about 44 mm; from about 1 mm to about 20 mm; or from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In some examples, the article can have a height or thickness of from about 3 mm to about 12 mm; or from about 4 mm to about 10 mm. The height or thickness measurement is made according to the thickness test method described herein.

[0118] The article can have a volume of from about 0.25 cubic centimeters (cc) to about 60 cc; from about 0.5 cc to about 60 cc; from about 0.5 cc to about 50 cc; from about 1 cc to about 40 cc; from about 1 cc to about 30 cc; from about 2 cc to about 20 cc; from about 3 cc to about 20 cc; from about 4 cc to about 15 cc; or from about 4 cc to about 10 cc. In some examples, the article can have a volume of from about 3 cc to about 6 cc. In other examples, the article can have a volume of from about 20 cc to about 35 cc; from about 24 cc to about 30 cc.

[0119] The article may have a mass of about 50 g or less; about 40 g or less; about 30 g or less; about 25 g or less; about 20 g or less; about 15 g or less; about 10 g or less; about 7.5 g or less; about 5 g or less; about 4 g or less; about 3 g or less; about 2 g or less; about 1.5 g or less; about 1.25 g or less; about 1 g or less; about 0.75 g or less; or about 0.5 g or less. In certain examples, the article may have a mass of about 0.25 g to about 50 g; about 0.25 g to about 40 g; about 0.25 g to about 30 g; about 0.25 g to about 25 g; about 0.25 g to about 20 g; about 0.5 g to about 15 g; about 0.5 g to about 10 g; about 0.5 g to about 5 g; about 0.5 g to about 4 g; about 0.5 g to about 3 g; about 0.5 g to about 2.5 g; or about 1 g to about 2 g. In certain examples, the article may have a mass of about 5 g to about 15 g; or about 8 g to about 12 g.

[0120] The article may have a density of about 0.05 g / cc or greater; about 0.08 g / cc or greater; about 0.1 g / cc or greater; about 0.15 g / cc or greater; about 0.2 g / cc or greater; about 0.25 g / cc or greater; about 0.3 g / cc or greater; about 0.35 g / cc or greater; or about 0.4 g / cc or greater. In certain examples, the article may have a density of about 0.8 g / cc or less; about 0.6 g / cc or less; about 0.5 g / cc or less; about 0.4 g / cc or less; about 0.35 g / cc or less; about 0.3 g / cc or less; about 0.25 g / cc or less; about 0.2 g / cc or less; about 0.15 g / cc or less; about 0.12 g / cc or less; about 0.1 g / cc or less; about 0.08 g / cc or less; or about 0.05 g / cc or less. Thus, in certain examples, the article may have a density of about 0.05 g / cc to about 0.8 g / cc; about 0.08 g / cc to about 0.8 g / cc; about 0.1 g / cc to about 0.8 g / cc; about 0.2 g / cc to about 0.6 g / cc; or about 0.2 g / cc to about 0.4 g / cc. In certain examples, the article may have a density of about 0.3 g / cc to about 0.5 g / cc.

[0121] In some examples, the article has one or more of the following dimensions: a width of from about 1 cm to about 11 cm; a length of from about 1 cm to about 20 cm; a height of from about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm; a mass of from about 0.25 g to about 40 g; a volume of from about 0.25 cc to about 60 cc; and a density of from about 0.05 g / cc to about 0.8 g / cc. In some examples, the article has one or more of the following: a width of from about 1 cm to about 11 cm; a length of from about 1 cm to about 20 cm; and a height of from about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm. In some examples, the article has one or more of the following: a mass of from about 0.25 g to about 40 g; a volume of from about 0.25 cc to about 60 cc; and a density of from about 0.05 g / cc to about 0.8 g / cc. In some examples, the article has one or more of the following: a width of from about 1 cm to about 11 cm; a length of from about 1 cm to about 20 cm; and a height of from about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm; and one or more of the following: a mass of from about 0.25 g to about 40 g; a volume of from about 0.25 cc to about 60 cc; and a density of from about 0.05 g / cc to about 0.8 g / cc.

[0122] Article composition and additional characteristics

[0123] In addition to the article dimensions listed above and optionally one or more of the above edge sealing strengths and / or edge sealing width values, the article (e.g., the fibrous structure of the present disclosure) can exhibit one or more of the following properties:

[0124] a. An average maximum peak force of less than 20.00 N, and / or less than 15.00 N, and / or less than 10.00 N, and / or less than 8.50 N, and / or less than 7.50 N, and / or less than 5.00 N, and / or greater than 0 N, and / or greater than 0 N to less than 20.00 N as measured by the improved circular bending test method described herein;

[0125] b. Less than 3000.0 N / m, and

[0126] / or less than 2500.0 N / m, and / or less than 2200.0 N / m, and / or less than 1900.0 N / m, and / or less than 1600.0 N / m, and / or less than 1200.0 N / m, and / or less than 1000.0 N / m, and / or less than 800.0 N / m, and / or less than 500.0 N / m, and / or greater than 100.0 N / m, and / or less than 3000.0 N / m to greater than 100.0 N / m average flexural rigidity as measured by the improved circular bending test method described herein; and

[0127] c. The average manual solubility as measured by the manual solubility test method as described herein, with less than 30 dissolution actions, and / or less than 29 dissolution actions, and / or less than 25 dissolution actions, and / or less than 20 dissolution actions, and / or less than 15 dissolution actions, and / or less than 10 dissolution actions, and / or less than 5 dissolution actions, and / or less than 30 dissolution actions to greater than 0 dissolution actions, and / or less than 25 dissolution actions to at least 1 dissolution action.

[0128] In one example, one or more laminae of a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure can be associated with one or more other laminae of the fibrous structure (e.g., another fibrous structure lamina according to the present disclosure) by bonding the laminae together in such ways as: glue, adhesive, water, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, fiber entanglement from one lamina into another, fiber needling from one lamina into another, temporary bonding of the laminae, lamina bonding only in discontinuous or dispersed regions / zones between the laminae, combinations of the lamina bonding methods mentioned herein, or other suitable ways of bonding the laminae together. In another example, two or more in a fibrous structure lamina can be bonded together by mechanically entangling filaments from one fibrous structure lamina into an adjacent fibrous structure lamina.

[0129] An article such as a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure can exhibit an average manual solubility value of less than 30 dissolution actions, and / or less than 29 dissolution actions, and / or less than 25 dissolution actions, and / or less than 20 dissolution actions, and / or less than 15 dissolution actions, and / or less than 10 dissolution actions, and / or less than 5 dissolution actions as measured by the manual solubility test method as described herein.

[0130] In one example, an article such as a fibrous structure of the present disclosure can exhibit an average disintegration time of less than 360 seconds (s), and / or less than 200 s, and / or less than 100 s, and / or less than 60 s, and / or less than 30 s, and / or less than 10 s, and / or less than 5 s, and / or less than 2.0 s, and / or less than 1.5 s, and / or about 0 s, and / or greater than 0 s as measured by the dissolution test method as described herein.

[0131] In one example, an article such as a fibrous structure of the present disclosure can exhibit an average dissolution time of less than 3600 seconds (s), and / or less than 3000 s, and / or less than 2400 s, and / or less than 1800 s, and / or less than 1200 s, and / or less than 600 s, and / or less than 400 s, and / or less than 300 s, and / or less than 200 s, and / or less than 175 s, and / or less than 100 s, and / or less than 50 s, and / or greater than 1 s as measured by the dissolution test method as described herein.

[0132] In another example, an article such as the fibrous structure of the present disclosure exhibits an average dissolution time, as measured by the dissolution test method described herein, of less than 24 hours, and / or less than 12 hours, and / or less than 6 hours, and / or less than 1 hour (3600 seconds), and / or less than 30 minutes, and / or less than 25 minutes, and / or less than 20 minutes, and / or less than 15 minutes, and / or less than 10 minutes, and / or less than 5 minutes, and / or greater than 1 second, and / or greater than 5 seconds, and / or greater than 10 seconds, and / or greater than 30 seconds, and / or greater than 1 minute.

[0133] In one example, an article such as the fibrous structure of the present disclosure may exhibit an average disintegration time per gsm sample, as measured by the dissolution test method described herein, of about 1.0 second per gsm (s / gsm) or less, and / or about 0.5 s / gsm or less, and / or about 0.2 s / gsm or less, and / or about 0.1 s / gsm or less, and / or about 0.05 s / gsm or less, and / or about 0.03 s / gsm or less.

[0134] In one example, an article such as the fibrous structure of the present disclosure may exhibit an average dissolution time per gsm sample, as measured by the dissolution test method described herein, of about 10 seconds per gsm (s / gsm) or less, and / or about 5.0 s / gsm or less, and / or about 3.0 s / gsm or less, and / or about 2.0 s / gsm or less, and / or about 1.8 s / gsm or less, and / or about 1.5 s / gsm or less.

[0135] In one example, fiber elements and / or particles may be disposed within the fibrous structure to provide a fibrous structure having two or more regions or layers containing different active agents. For example, one region of the fibrous structure may contain a bleach and / or a surfactant, and another region of the fibrous structure may contain a softener.

[0136] As Figure 2As shown, an article 20 of the present disclosure, for example, an example of a multi-layer sheet fiber structure according to the present disclosure, may include two or more different fiber structure layers or laminae 22, 24 (in the z-direction of the article 20 of the filaments 10 of the fiber structure forming the article 20). The filaments 10 in layer 22 may be the same as or different from the filaments 10 in layer 24. Each layer or lamina 22, 24 may include multiple filaments that are the same, substantially the same, or different. For example, filaments that release their active agent at a faster rate than other filaments within the article 20 and / or within one or more fiber structure layers or laminae 22, 24 of the article 20 may be positioned at the outer surface of the article 20. The layers or laminae 22 and 24 may be associated with each other by mechanical entanglement at the interface between the two layers or laminae and / or by thermal bonding or adhesive bonding and / or by depositing one of the layers or laminae onto another existing layer or lamina (e.g., spinning the fiber elements of layer or lamina 22 onto the surface of layer or lamina 24). Figure 3 Another view of the article 20 having laminae 22 and 24 is shown. Relative to the article dimensions described above, Figure 3 the length (L), width (W), and height (H) of the article shown correspond to measurements in the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction, respectively.

[0137] As Figure 4 shown, another example of an article 20 (e.g., a fiber structure according to the present disclosure) includes a first fiber structure layer or lamina 22 (which includes multiple fiber elements such as filaments 10), a second fiber structure layer 24 (which includes multiple fiber elements such as filaments 10), and a plurality of particles or a particle layer 26 positioned between the first fiber structure layer 22 and the second fiber structure layer 24. A similar fiber structure can be formed by depositing a plurality of particles on the surface of a first lamina of a fiber structure comprising multiple fiber elements and then associating a second lamina of a fiber structure comprising multiple fiber elements such that the particles or particle layer is positioned between the first and second fiber structure laminae.

[0138] As Figure 5As shown, another example of an article 20, such as the fibrous structure of the present disclosure, includes a first fibrous structure layer 22 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements, such as filaments 10), where the first fibrous structure layer 22 includes one or more pits 28 (also referred to as recesses, unfilled protrusions, or skewed regions), which may be in the form of an irregular pattern or a non-random repeating pattern. One or more of the pits 28 may contain one or more particles 26. The article 20 in this example also includes a second fibrous structure layer 24, which is associated with the first fibrous structure layer 22 such that the particles 26 are embedded in the pits 28. As described above, a similar article can be formed by depositing a plurality of particles in the pits of a first laminate of a fibrous structure that includes a plurality of fibrous elements, and then associating a second laminate of a fibrous structure that includes a plurality of fibrous elements such that the particles are embedded within the pits of the first laminate. In one example, the pits can be separated from the fibrous structure to produce discrete pits.

[0139] As Figure 6 shown, another example of an article 20, such as the multi-laminate fibrous structure of the present disclosure, includes a first laminate 30 of a fibrous structure according to the Figure 5 above; a second laminate 32 of a fibrous structure associated with the first laminate 30, where the second laminate 32 includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10; and a plurality of particles 26 (in this case, the particles are randomly dispersed along the x, y, and z axes of the entire article 20).

[0140] As Figure 7 shown, another example of an article 20, such as the fibrous structure of the present disclosure, includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10 (such as filaments containing an active agent) and a plurality of particles 26 such as particles containing an active agent (in this case, the particles are randomly dispersed along the x, y, and z axes of the fibrous structure of the entire article 20).

[0141] As Figure 8As shown, another example of article 20, such as the fibrous structure of the present disclosure, includes a first fibrous structure layer 22 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10) and a second fibrous structure layer 24 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10, such as filaments containing an active agent), and a plurality of particles 26, such as particles containing an active agent (in this case, the particles are randomly dispersed along the x, y, and z axes throughout the second fibrous structure layer 24). Alternatively, in another example, the plurality of particles 26, such as particles containing an active agent, may be dispersed within the second fibrous structure layer 24 in the form of an irregular pattern or a non-random repeating pattern. As described above, a similar article includes two fibrous structure laminates, the two fibrous structure laminates including: a first fibrous structure laminate 22 including a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10 and a second fibrous structure laminate 24 including a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10, such as filaments containing an active agent; and a plurality of particles 26, such as particles containing an active agent (in this case, the particles are randomly dispersed along the x, y, and z axes throughout the second fibrous structure laminate 24). Alternatively, in another example, the plurality of particles 26, such as particles containing an active agent, may be dispersed within the second fibrous structure laminate 24 in the form of an irregular pattern or a non-random repeating pattern.

[0142] Figure 9 Another example of article 20, such as the multi-layer fibrous structure of the present disclosure, is shown and includes a first laminate 30 of the fibrous structure as Figure 8 shown, the first laminate including a first fibrous structure layer 22 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10), a second fibrous structure layer 24 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10, such as filaments containing an active agent), and a plurality of particles 26, such as particles containing an active agent (in this case, the particles are randomly dispersed along the x, y, and z axes throughout the second fibrous structure layer 24); a second laminate 32 of the fibrous structure associated with the first laminate 30, wherein the second laminate 32 includes a first fibrous structure layer 22 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10), a second layer 24 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10, such as filaments containing an active agent), and a plurality of particles 26, such as particles containing an active agent (in this case, the particles are randomly dispersed along the x, y, and z axes throughout the second fibrous structure layer 24); and a third laminate 34 of the fibrous structure associated with the second laminate 32, wherein the third laminate 34 includes a first fibrous structure layer 22 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10), a second fibrous structure layer 24 (which includes a plurality of fibrous elements such as filaments 10, such as filaments containing an active agent), and a plurality of particles 26, such as particles containing an active agent (in this case, the particles are randomly dispersed along the x, y, and z axes throughout the second fibrous structure layer 24).

[0143] As Figure 10As shown, another example of article 20, such as the multi-layer sheet fiber structure of the present disclosure, includes a first sheet 30 of the fiber structure (which includes a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10); a second sheet 32 of the fiber structure associated with the first sheet 30, wherein the second sheet 32 includes a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10; and a third sheet 34 of the fiber structure associated with the second sheet 32, wherein the third sheet 34 includes a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10. In Figure 10 In one example, the filaments 10 of each sheet may include active agent-containing filaments.

[0144] Figure 11 Another example of the multi-layer sheet fiber structure 20 of article 20 of the present disclosure is shown. The multi-layer sheet fiber structure includes a first sheet 30 of the fiber structure (which includes a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10), a second sheet 32 of the fiber structure (which includes a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10), a third sheet 34 of the fiber structure (which includes a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10), a fourth sheet 36 of the fiber structure (which includes a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10), and a fifth sheet 38 of the fiber structure (which includes a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10). In this example, article 20 further includes one or more particles or particle layers 26 positioned between at least two adjacent fiber structure sheets (such as sheets 30 and 32 or sheets 32 and 34 or sheets 34 and 36 or sheets 36 and 38). Sheets 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 are associated with one or more other sheets to form a unitary structure and minimize dissociation of particles 26 from article 20 if the particles are present within article 20. In another example, one or more particles or particle layers 26 positioned between at least two adjacent fiber structure sheets are present in an irregular pattern, a non-random repeating pattern, or only in selected regions between the sheets.

[0145] Figure 12 Another example of article 20 is shown, wherein article 20 includes one or more fiber elements that include one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents releasable from the fiber elements. Article 20 further includes a seal 21 positioned generally along the perimeter of article 20. As Figure 12 shown, seal 21 has a seal width B. In certain examples, and as Figure 12 shown, seal 21 may be continuous. However, in other examples, seal 21 may be discontinuous such that seal 21 is positioned only along a portion of the perimeter of article 20. In certain examples, at least one of two or more fiber structure sheets may include one or more particles; and in certain examples, seal 21 may include one or more particles therein.

[0146] In such examples of an article 20 having a sealed edge 21, the article 20 can include two or more fibrous structural laminae such that the article 20 is a multi-laminate article. In certain examples, at least two of the two or more fibrous structural laminae can be formed of different compositions from one another. In certain examples, the article 20 can include a first outermost lamina 23 and a second outermost lamina 25, such as, for example Figure 13 as shown, where the edges of each of the first outermost lamina 23 and the second outermost lamina 25 can form the sealed edge 21. The article 20 can also include one or more inner laminae, where the one or more inner laminae can be surrounded by the first outermost lamina 23 and the second outermost lamina 25. The article 20 can include any suitable amount of inner laminae, but it should be understood that as the amount of inner laminae increases, the likelihood of dissolution of the sealed edge can increase more and more. In certain examples, the one or more inner laminae do not form the sealed edge 21. However, it should be understood that in other examples, the edges of each of the first outermost lamina, the second outermost lamina, and the one or more inner laminae can form the sealed edge. In certain examples, the one or more inner laminae can include one or more particles therein; and in certain examples, the first outermost lamina 23 and the second outermost lamina 25 can be substantially free of particles.

[0147] Although the fibrous elements and / or fibrous structures of the present disclosure are in solid form, the filament-forming composition for preparing the fibrous elements of the present disclosure can be in liquid form.

[0148] In one example, the fibrous structure includes a plurality of fibrous elements according to the present disclosure that are identical or substantially identical in composition. In another example, the fibrous structure can include two or more different fibrous elements according to the present disclosure. Non-limiting examples of differences in the fibrous elements can be physical differences such as differences in diameter, length, texture, shape, hardness, elasticity, etc.; chemical differences such as differences in crosslinking level, solubility, melting point, Tg, active agent, filament-forming material, color, active agent level, basis weight, filament-forming material level, whether there is any coating on the fibrous element, whether it is biodegradable, whether it is hydrophobic, contact angle, etc.; differences in whether the fibrous element loses its physical structure when exposed to the intended use conditions; differences in whether the fibrous element changes morphology when exposed to the intended use conditions; and differences in the rate of release of one or more of its active agents when the fibrous element is exposed to the intended use conditions. In one example, two or more fibrous elements and / or particles within the fibrous structure can include different active agents. This can be a situation where different active agents, for example anionic surfactants (such as shampoo active agents) and cationic surfactants (such as hair conditioner active agents), may be incompatible with each other.

[0149] In one example, at least one of the one or more active agents present within the fibrous element comprises a first surfactant, and the active agent-containing particles comprise a second surfactant, such as where the first surfactant is different from the second surfactant.

[0150] In another example, the fibrous structure may exhibit different regions, such as regions of different basis weights, densities, and / or thicknesses. In another example, the fibrous structure may comprise a texture on one or more of its surfaces. The surface of the fibrous structure may comprise a pattern such as a non-random repeating pattern. The fibrous structure may be embossed with an embossed pattern. In another example, the fibrous structure may include open pores. The open pores may be arranged in a non-random repeating pattern.

[0151] In one example, the fibrous structure may include discrete regions of fibrous elements that are different from other portions of the fibrous structure.

[0152] Non-limiting examples of uses of the fibrous structures of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, laundry dryer substrates, washing machine substrates, towels, hard surface cleaning and / or polishing substrates, floor cleaning and / or polishing substrates, as battery components, baby wipes, adult wipes, feminine hygiene wipes, toilet paper wipes, window cleaning substrates, oil inhibitor and / or oil removal substrates, insect repellent substrates, swimming pool chemical substrates, food, breath fresheners, deodorants, trash bags, packaging films and / or wraps, wound dressings, drug delivery, building insulation, crop and / or plant cover and / or bedding, adhesive substrates, skin care substrates, hair care substrates, air care substrates, water treatment substrates and / or filters, toilet bowl cleaning substrates, confectionery substrates, pet food, livestock bedding, teeth whitening substrates, carpet cleaning substrates, and other suitable uses of the active agents of the present disclosure.

[0153] The fibrous structures of the present disclosure may be used as is or may be coated with one or more active agents.

[0154] In one example, the fibrous structure may exhibit a thickness as measured by the thickness testing method described herein that is greater than 0.01 mm, and / or greater than 0.05 mm, and / or greater than 0.1 mm, and / or up to about 50 mm, and / or up to about 20 mm, and / or up to about 10 mm, and / or up to about 5 mm, and / or up to about 2 mm, and / or up to about 0.5 mm, and / or up to about 0.3 mm.

[0155] In certain examples, the product assembly may include one or more of the articles described herein.

[0156] Non-limiting examples of other fibrous structures suitable for the present disclosure are disclosed in U.S. Published Patent Application 2013 / 0171421A1 and U.S. Patent 9,139,802, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0157] Particles

[0158] The particles can be water-soluble or water-insoluble. In one example, a set of particles can be water-soluble, and different sets of particles can be water-insoluble. The particles (either water-soluble or water-insoluble) can themselves deliver a beneficial effect to the consumer. In another example, the particles (either water-soluble or water-insoluble) can contain one or more active agents (in other words, the particles can include active-agent-containing particles). In another example, the particles can consist essentially of and / or consist of one or more active agents (in other words, based on the weight of the dry particles, the particles (either water-soluble or water-insoluble) can contain 100% or greater than about 100% of one or more active agents). In another example, the particles can include water-soluble particles. In another example, the particles can include water-soluble active-agent-containing particles. In one other example, the water-insoluble particles include zeolite, porous zeolite, zeolite carrying a fragrance, zeolite carrying an active substance, silica, silica carrying a fragrance, silica carrying an active substance, fragrance microcapsules, clay, and mixtures thereof.

[0159] In one example, the particles include water-soluble particles such as water-soluble, active-agent-containing particles that contain an active agent selected from the group consisting of: bleach, builder, enzyme, antimicrobial, antibacterial agent, antifungal agent, fragrance delivery system, dye transfer inhibitor, brightener, colorant dye, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the water-soluble, active-agent-containing particles contain enzyme granules. In another example, the water-soluble, active-agent-containing particles contain encapsulated bleach. In another example, the water-soluble, active-agent-containing particles contain fragrance microcapsules.

[0160] In one example, at least one of the particles includes water-insoluble particles such as water-insoluble, active-agent-containing particles.

[0161] In one example, one or more particles are present in the article as discrete particles.

[0162] Fiber element

[0163] The fibrous element can be water-soluble or water-insoluble. In one example, the fibrous element contains one or more filament-forming materials. In another example, the fibrous element contains one or more active agents. In another example, the fibrous element contains one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents. In another example, the fibrous element can include a water-soluble fibrous element.

[0164] The fiber elements of the present disclosure, such as filaments and / or fibers, comprise one or more filament-forming materials. In addition to the filament-forming materials, the fiber elements may further comprise one or more active agents that can be released from the fiber elements when the fiber elements and / or the fibrous structures comprising the fiber elements are exposed to the intended use conditions. In one example, the total level of the one or more filament-forming materials present in the fiber element is less than 80% by weight based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or the dry fibrous structure, and the total level of the one or more active agents present in the fiber element is greater than 20% by weight based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or the dry fibrous structure.

[0165] In one example, the fiber elements of the present disclosure comprise one or more filament-forming materials that are about 100%, and / or greater than 95%, and / or greater than 90%, and / or greater than 85%, and / or greater than 75%, and / or greater than 50% by weight based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or the dry fibrous structure. For example, the filament-forming materials may comprise polyvinyl alcohol, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, and other suitable polymers, especially hydroxy polymers.

[0166] In another example, the fiber elements of the present disclosure comprise one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents, wherein the total level of the filament-forming materials present in the fiber element is from about 5% to less than 80% by weight based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or the dry fibrous structure, and the total level of the active agents present in the fiber element is greater than 20% to about 95% by weight based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or the dry fibrous structure.

[0167] In one example, the fiber elements of the present disclosure comprise at least 10%, and / or at least 15%, and / or at least 20%, and / or less than 80%, and / or less than 75%, and / or less than 65%, and / or less than 60%, and / or less than 55%, and / or less than 50%, and / or less than 45%, and / or less than 40% by weight of filament-forming materials based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or the dry fibrous structure, and greater than about 20%, and / or at least about 30%, and / or at least about 35%, and / or at least about 40%, and / or at least about 45%, and / or at least about 50%, and / or at least about 60%, and / or less than about 95%, and / or less than about 90%, and / or less than about 85%, and / or less than about 80%, and / or less than about 75% by weight of active agents based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or the dry fibrous structure.

[0168] In one example, the fibrous element of the present disclosure comprises at least 5%, and / or at least 10%, and / or at least 15%, and / or at least 20%, and / or less than 50%, and / or less than 45%, and / or less than 40%, and / or less than 35%, and / or less than 30%, and / or less than 25% of a filament-forming material, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure, and greater than about 30%, and / or at least about 50%, and / or at least about 55%, and / or at least about 60%, and / or at least about 65%, and / or at least about 70%, and / or less than about 95%, and / or less than about 90%, and / or less than about 85%, and / or less than about 80%, and / or less than about 75% of an active agent, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure. In one example, the fibrous element of the present disclosure comprises greater than 80% of an active agent, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure.

[0169] In another example, the total level of one or more filament-forming materials and the total level of the active agent are present in the fibrous element in a weight ratio of 4.0 or less, and / or 3.5 or less, and / or 3.0 or less, and / or 2.5 or less, and / or 2.0 or less, and / or 1.85 or less, and / or less than 1.7, and / or less than 1.6, and / or less than 1.5, and / or less than 1.3, and / or less than 1.2, and / or less than 1, and / or less than 0.7, and / or less than 0.5, and / or less than 0.4, and / or less than 0.3, and / or greater than 0.1, and / or greater than 0.15, and / or greater than 0.2.

[0170] In another example, the fibrous element of the present disclosure comprises from about 10%, and / or from about 15% to less than 80% of a filament-forming material, such as a polyvinyl alcohol polymer, a starch polymer, and / or a carboxymethyl cellulose polymer, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure, and greater than 20% to about 90%, and / or to about 85% of an active agent, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure. The fibrous element may also comprise a plasticizer such as glycerol and / or a pH regulator such as citric acid.

[0171] In another example, the fibrous element of the present disclosure comprises from about 10%, and / or from about 15% to less than 80% of a filament-forming material, such as a polyvinyl alcohol polymer, a starch polymer, and / or a carboxymethyl cellulose polymer, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure, and greater than 20% to about 90%, and / or to about 85% of an active agent, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry fibrous structure, wherein the weight ratio of the filament-forming material to the active agent is 4.0 or less. The fibrous element may also comprise a plasticizer such as glycerol and / or a pH regulator such as citric acid.

[0172] In yet another example of the present disclosure, the fibrous element comprises one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents that are releasable and / or released when the fibrous element and / or the fibrous structure comprising the fibrous element is exposed to the intended use conditions, the active agent being selected from: enzymes, bleaches, detergency builders, chelating agents, sensates, dispersants, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the fibrous element comprises a filament-forming material at a total level of less than 95%, and / or less than 90%, and / or less than 80%, and / or less than 50%, and / or less than 35%, and / or up to about 5%, and / or up to about 10%, and / or up to about 20% by weight based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or the dry fibrous structure, and an active agent at a total level of greater than 5%, and / or greater than 10%, and / or greater than 20%, and / or greater than 35%, and / or greater than 50%, and / or greater than 65%, and / or up to about 95%, and / or up to about 90%, and / or up to about 80% by weight based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or the dry fibrous structure, the active agent being selected from: enzymes, bleaches, detergency builders, chelating agents, fragrances, antimicrobials, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the active agent comprises one or more enzymes. In another example, the active agent comprises one or more bleaches. In another example, the active agent comprises one or more detergency builders. In another example, the active agent comprises one or more chelating agents. In another example, the active agent comprises one or more fragrances. In yet another example, the active agent comprises one or more antimicrobials, antibacterial agents, and / or antifungal agents.

[0173] In another example of the present disclosure, the fibrous elements of the present disclosure may comprise active agents that can pose health and / or safety concerns if they become airborne. For example, the fibrous elements can be used to inhibit enzymes within the fibrous elements from becoming airborne.

[0174] In one example, the fibrous element of the present disclosure can be a meltblown fibrous element. In another example, the fibrous element of the present disclosure can be a spunbond fibrous element. In another example, the fibrous element can be a hollow fibrous element before and / or after releasing one or more of its active agents.

[0175] The fibrous element of the present disclosure can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. The fibrous element can be surface-treated and / or internally-treated to alter its inherent hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties.

[0176] In one example, the fibrous element exhibits a diameter of less than 100 μm, and / or less than 75 μm, and / or less than 50 μm, and / or less than 25 μm, and / or less than 10 μm, and / or less than 5 μm, and / or less than 1 μm as measured by the diameter testing method described herein. In another example, the fibrous element of the present disclosure exhibits a diameter greater than 1 μm as measured by the diameter testing method described herein. The diameter of the fibrous element of the present disclosure can be used to control the release rate and / or loss rate of one or more active agents present in the fibrous element and / or to alter the physical structure of the fibrous element.

[0177] The fibrous element can comprise two or more different active agents. In one example, the fibrous element comprises two or more different active agents, wherein the two or more different active agents are compatible with each other. In another example, the fibrous element comprises two or more different active agents, wherein the two or more different active agents are incompatible with each other.

[0178] In one example, the fibrous element can comprise an active agent within the fibrous element and an active agent on the outer surface of the fibrous element, such as an active agent coating on the fibrous element. The active agent on the outer surface of the fibrous element can be the same as or different from the active agent present in the fibrous element. If different, the active agents can be compatible or incompatible with each other.

[0179] In another example, the fibrous structure or article of the present disclosure can include filaments on a coating on an external fibrous element or on a surface of a laminate of the article. The coating can be applied to the surface of the laminate, and the surface having the coating can be the outer surface of the overall article or can be a surface within the article. The placement of the coating depends on the desired beneficial effect or active agent to be delivered. For example, a coating on the outer surface laminate of the article will be more readily visible to the consumer because it is on a surface observable by the consumer. A coating on the inner surface laminate of the article may be less visible because it can be hidden outside the range directly observable by the consumer. The placement of the coating on the inner and / or outer surface of the article will be achieved as part of the article preparation process. The coating on the inner surface laminate can be different from or the same as the coating on the outer surface of the article. In one example, the article can have a coating on the outer surface and / or inner surface of the article. In another example, the article can have a coating on the outer surface and / or inner surface of the laminate constituting the article. In another example, the article can have a silicone active agent or amino silicone, and the silicone active agent comprises a coating on the outer surface and / or inner surface of the laminate constituting the article, and the amino silicone comprises a coating on the outer surface and / or inner surface of the laminate constituting the article.

[0180] In one example, one or more active agents may be uniformly distributed or substantially uniformly distributed throughout the fiber element. In another example, one or more active agents may be distributed as discrete regions within the fiber element. In another example, at least one active agent is uniformly or substantially uniformly distributed throughout the fiber element, and at least one other active agent is distributed as one or more discrete regions within the fiber element. In another example, at least one active agent is distributed as one or more discrete regions within the fiber element, and at least one other active agent is distributed as one or more discrete regions different from the first discrete region within the fiber element.

[0181] Filament - forming material

[0182] The filament-forming material is any suitable material, such as a polymer or a monomer capable of preparing a polymer, which exhibits properties suitable for preparing filaments, such as by a spinning process.

[0183] In one example, the filament-forming material may include a polar solvent-soluble material, such as an alcohol-soluble material and / or a water-soluble material.

[0184] In another example, the filament-forming material may include a non-polar solvent-soluble material.

[0185] In another example, the filament-forming material may include a water-soluble material and be free of (less than 5%, and / or less than 3%, and / or less than 1%, and / or 0% by weight based on the dry fiber element and / or dry fiber structure) water-insoluble material.

[0186] In another example, the filament-forming material may be a film-forming material. In another example, the filament-forming material may be of synthetic or natural origin, and it may be chemically, enzymatically, and / or physically altered.

[0187] In yet another example of the present disclosure, the filament-forming material may comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of: polymers derived from acrylic monomers such as ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers and ethylenically unsaturated monomers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylformamide, polyvinylamine, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, copolymers of acrylic acid and methyl acrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxide, starch and starch derivatives, pullulan, gelatin, and cellulose derivatives (e.g., hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose).

[0188] In another example, the filament-forming material can include polymers selected from: polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, starch, starch derivatives, cellulose derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, proteins, sodium alginate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, polyethylene glycol, tetramethylene ether glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

[0189] In another example, the filament-forming material includes polymers selected from: pullulan, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum, acacia gum, gum arabic, polyacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate copolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer, dextrin, pectin, chitin, fructan, elsinan, collagen, gelatin, zein, gluten, soy protein, casein, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxylated polyvinyl alcohol, sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol, starch, starch derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, proteins, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, polyethylene glycol, tetramethylene ether glycol, hydroxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

[0190] Water - soluble material

[0191] Non-limiting examples of water-soluble materials include water-soluble polymers. The water-soluble polymers can be of synthetic or natural origin and can be chemically and / or physically modified. In one example, the polar solvent-soluble polymers exhibit a weight-average molecular weight of at least 10,000 g / mol, and / or at least 20,000 g / mol, and / or at least 40,000 g / mol, and / or at least 80,000 g / mol, and / or at least 100,000 g / mol, and / or at least 1,000,000 g / mol, and / or at least 3,000,000 g / mol, and / or at least 10,000,000 g / mol, and / or at least 20,000,000 g / mol, and / or up to about 40,000,000 g / mol, and / or up to about 30,000,000 g / mol.

[0192] Non-limiting examples of water-soluble polymers include water-soluble hydroxy polymers, water-soluble thermoplastic polymers, water-soluble biodegradable polymers, water-soluble non-biodegradable polymers, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the water-soluble polymer includes polyvinyl alcohol. In another example, the water-soluble polymer includes starch. In another example, the water-soluble polymer includes polyvinyl alcohol and starch. In another example, the water-soluble polymer includes carboxymethylcellulose. In another example, the polymer includes carboxymethylcellulose and polyvinyl alcohol.

[0193] a. Water - soluble hydroxy polymer - Non-limiting examples of the water-soluble hydroxy polymers according to the present disclosure include polyols such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, starch, starch derivatives, starch copolymers, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, chitosan copolymers, cellulose derivatives such as cellulose ethers and cellulose ester derivatives, cellulose copolymers, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, hemicellulose copolymers, gums, arabans, galactans, proteins, carboxymethyl cellulose, and various other polysaccharides, and mixtures thereof.

[0194] In one example, the water-soluble hydroxy polymers of the present disclosure include polysaccharides.

[0195] As used herein, "polysaccharide" refers to natural polysaccharides and polysaccharide derivatives and / or modified polysaccharides. Suitable water-soluble polysaccharides include, but are not limited to, starch, starch derivatives, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, cellulose derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, gums, arabans, galactans, and mixtures thereof. The water-soluble polysaccharides may exhibit a weight-average molecular weight of from about 10,000 g / mol to about 40,000,000 g / mol, and / or greater than 100,000 g / mol, and / or greater than 1,000,000 g / mol, and / or greater than 3,000,000 g / mol, and / or greater than 3,000,000 g / mol to about 40,000,000 g / mol.

[0196] The water-soluble polysaccharides may include non-cellulose and / or non-cellulose derivative and / or non-cellulose copolymer water-soluble polysaccharides. Such non-cellulose water-soluble polysaccharides may be selected from: starch, starch derivatives, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, gums, arabans, galactans, and mixtures thereof.

[0197] In another example, the water-soluble hydroxy polymers of the present disclosure include non-thermoplastic polymers.

[0198] The water-soluble hydroxy polymers may have a weight-average molecular weight of from about 10,000 g / mol to about 40,000,000 g / mol, and / or greater than 100,000 g / mol, and / or greater than 1,000,000 g / mol, and / or greater than 3,000,000 g / mol, and / or greater than 3,000,000 g / mol to about 40,000,000 g / mol. Higher molecular weight and lower molecular weight water-soluble hydroxy polymers may be used in combination with hydroxy polymers having a desired weight-average molecular weight.

[0199] Well-known modifications of water-soluble hydroxy polymers such as natural starches include chemical modification and / or enzymatic modification. For example, natural starches can be acid-hydrolyzed, hydroxyethylated, hydroxypropylated, and / or oxidized. In addition, the water-soluble hydroxy polymer can include dent corn starch.

[0200] Naturally occurring starches are generally mixtures of amylose and amylopectin polymers of D-glucose units. Amylose is essentially a linear polymer of D-glucose units linked by (1,4)-α-D bonds. Amylopectin is a highly branched polymer of D-glucose units that are linked at the branch points by (1,4)-α-D bonds and (1,6)-α-D bonds. Naturally occurring starches typically contain relatively high levels of amylopectin, such as corn starch (64% to 80% amylopectin), waxy corn (93% to 100% amylopectin), rice (83% to 84% amylopectin), potato (about 78% amylopectin), and wheat (73% to 83% amylopectin). While all starches are potentially useful herein, the most commonly used in the present disclosure are natural starches with high amylopectin content, which are derived from agricultural sources and have the advantages of abundant supply, easy replenishment, and low cost.

[0201] As used herein, "starch" includes any naturally occurring unmodified starch, modified starch, synthetic starch, and mixtures thereof, as well as mixtures of amylose or amylopectin fractions; the starch can be modified by physical, chemical, or biological methods, or combinations thereof. The choice of unmodified or modified starch in the present disclosure can depend on the desired final product. In one example of the present disclosure, the starch or starch mixture useful herein has an amylopectin content of about 20% to about 100%, more typically about 40% to about 90%, and even more typically about 60% to about 85% by weight of the starch or its mixture.

[0202] Suitable naturally occurring starches can include, but are not limited to, corn starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, wheat starch, sago starch, tapioca starch, rice starch, soybean starch, arrowroot starch, amyloca starch, fern starch, lotus root starch, waxy corn starch, and high amylose corn starch. Naturally occurring starches, especially corn starch and wheat starch, are preferred starch polymers because of their economy and availability.

[0203] The polyvinyl alcohol of the present invention can be grafted with other monomers to change its properties. A large number of monomers have been successfully grafted onto polyvinyl alcohol. Non-limiting examples of such monomers include vinyl acetate, styrene, acrylamide, acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, sodium vinyl sulfonate, sodium allyl sulfonate, sodium methallyl sulfonate, sodium phenyl allyl ether sulfonate, sodium phenyl methallyl ether sulfonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMP), vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride, vinylamine, and various acrylates.

[0204] In one example, the water-soluble hydroxy polymer is selected from: polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable polyvinyl alcohols include those commercially available from Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America, LLC (Dallas, TX) under the trade name Those commercially available. Another non-limiting example of a suitable polyvinyl alcohol includes the G polymer commercially available from Nippon Ghosei. Non-limiting examples of suitable hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses include those commercially available from Dow Chemical Company (Midland, MI) under the trade name Those commercially available, including combinations with the polyvinyl alcohols mentioned above.

[0205] b. Water - soluble thermoplastic polymer - Non-limiting examples of suitable water-soluble thermoplastic polymers include thermoplastic starch and / or starch derivatives, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polycaprolactone, polyesteramides, and certain polyesters, and mixtures thereof.

[0206] The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers of the present disclosure can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers can be surface-treated and / or internally-treated to change the inherent hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the thermoplastic polymers.

[0207] The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers can include polymers capable of biodegradation.

[0208] Any suitable weight-average molecular weight of the thermoplastic polymer can be used. For example, the weight-average molecular weight of the thermoplastic polymer according to the present disclosure is greater than about 10,000 g / mol, and / or greater than about 40,000 g / mol, and / or greater than about 50,000 g / mol, and / or less than about 500,000 g / mol, and / or less than about 400,000 g / mol, and / or less than about 200,000 g / mol.

[0209] Active agent

[0210] Active agents are a class of additives that are designed and intended to provide beneficial effects to certain substances other than the fibrous elements and / or particles and / or the fibrous structure itself, such as providing beneficial effects to the environment outside the fibrous elements and / or particles and / or the fibrous structure. The active agent can be any suitable additive that produces the desired effect under the intended use conditions of the fibrous element. For example, the active agent can be selected from: personal cleansing and / or conditioning agents, such as hair care agents such as shampoos and / or hair colorants, hair conditioners, skin care agents, sunscreens and skin conditioners; laundry care and / or conditioning agents such as fabric softeners, fabric conditioners, fabric softening agents, fabric anti-wrinkle agents, fabric care antistatic agents, fabric care soil release agents, detergents, dispersants, foam suppressants, foam boosters, defoamers and fabric fresheners; liquid and / or powder dish detergents (for manual dishwashing and / or automatic dishwasher applications), hard surface care agents and / or conditioners and / or polishes; other cleansing and / or conditioning agents such as antimicrobial agents, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, fabric colorants, fragrances, bleaches (such as oxidative bleaches, hydrogen peroxide, percarbonate bleaches, perborate bleaches, chlorine bleaches), bleach activators, chelating agents, builders, washes, optical brighteners, air care agents, carpet care agents, dye transfer inhibitors, clay removers, anti-redeposition agents, polymeric soil release agents, polymeric dispersants, alkoxylated polyamine polymers, alkoxylated polycarboxylate polymers, amphoteric graft copolymers, solubilizing aids, buffer systems, water softeners, water hardeners, pH regulators, enzymes, flocculants, effervescent agents, preservatives, beauty agents, makeup removers, foaming agents, deposition aids, aggregate formers, clays, thickeners, latexes, silica, desiccants, odor control agents, antiperspirants, cooling agents, warming agents, absorbent gels, anti-inflammatory agents, dyes, pigments, acids and bases; liquid treatment active agents; agricultural active agents; industrial active agents; ingestible active agents such as therapeutic agents, tooth whiteners, tooth care agents, mouthwashes, periodontal gum care agents, food agents, dietary agents, vitamins, minerals; water treatment agents such as water clarifiers and / or water disinfectants, and mixtures thereof.

[0211] Non-limiting examples of suitable beauty agents, skin care agents, skin conditioners, hair care agents and hair conditioners are described in CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, The Cosmetic, Toiletries, and Fragrance Association, Inc. 1988, 1992.

[0212] One or more categories of chemicals can be used for one or more of the active agents listed above. For example, surfactants can be used for any number of the above active agents. Similarly, bleaches can be used for fabric care, hard surface cleaning, dishwashing, and even teeth whitening. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will know to select the active agent based on the intended use desired for the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure made therefrom.

[0213] For example, if the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure made therefrom is used for hair care and / or conditioning, one or more suitable surfactants, such as foaming surfactants, can be selected to provide the desired beneficial effects to the consumer when exposed to the intended use conditions of the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure incorporating the fiber element and / or particle.

[0214] In one example, if the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure made therefrom is designed or intended for use in washing clothes during a laundry operation, one or more suitable surfactants and / or enzymes and / or builders and / or fragrances and / or defoamers and / or bleaches can be selected to provide the desired beneficial effects to the consumer when exposed to the intended use conditions of the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure incorporating the fiber element and / or particle. In another example, if the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure made therefrom is designed for washing clothes during a laundry operation and / or cleaning dishes during a dishwashing operation, the fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure can comprise a laundry detergent composition or a dish detergent composition or an active agent for such compositions.

[0215] In one example, the active agent includes a fragrance-free active agent. In another example, the active agent includes a surfactant-free active agent. In another example, the active agent includes a non-ingestible active agent, in other words an active agent that is not an ingestible active agent.

[0216] Surfactant

[0217] Non-limiting examples of suitable surfactants include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Co-surfactants may also be included in the fibrous element and / or the particles. For fibrous elements and / or particles designed to be used as laundry detergents and / or dishwashing detergents, the total level of surfactant will be sufficient to provide cleaning including soil removal and / or deodorization, and will generally be in the range of from about 0.5% to about 95%. Additionally, surfactant systems in fibrous elements and / or particles designed for laundry detergents and / or dishwashing detergents that include two or more surfactants may include all-anionic surfactant systems, surfactant systems that include mixtures of anionic-nonionic surfactants, or nonionic-cationic surfactant mixtures or low-foaming nonionic surfactant blends. In certain examples, the surfactant included in the fibrous element (e.g., filament) may be different from the surfactant included in the particles.

[0218] The surfactants herein may be straight-chain or branched. In one example, suitable straight-chain surfactants include those derived from agrochemical oils such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, soybean oil, or other vegetable oils.

[0219] a. Anionic surfactant

[0220] Non-limiting examples of suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, branched alkyl sulfates, branched alkyl alkoxylates, branched alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, mid-chain branched alkyl aryl sulfonates, sulfated monoglycerides, sulfonated olefins, alkyl aryl sulfonates, primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates of succinic acid, acyl taurates, acyl isethionates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, sulfonated methyl esters, sulfonated fatty acids, alkyl phosphates, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, alkyl esters of sulfoacetic acid, acylated peptides, alkyl ether carboxylates, acyl lactates, anionic fluorinated surfactants, sodium lauroyl glutamate, and combinations thereof.

[0221] Alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates suitable for use herein include those having the respective formulas ROSO3M and RO(C2H4O) xMaterials of SO3M, where R is an alkyl or alkenyl group having about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, x is from 1 to 10, and M is a water-soluble cation such as ammonium, sodium, potassium, and triethanolamine. Other suitable anionic surfactants are described in McCutcheon's "Detergents and Emulsifiers", North American Edition (1986), Allured Publishing Corp. and McCutcheon's "Functional Materials", North American Edition (1992), Allured Publishing Corp.

[0222] In one example, anionic surfactants useful for the fiber elements and / or particles of the present disclosure include C9-C 15 alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), C8-C 20 alkyl ether sulfates such as alkyl poly(ethoxy) sulfates, C8-C 20 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof. Other anionic surfactants include methyl ester sulfonates (MES), secondary alkane sulfonates, methyl ester ethoxylates (MEE), sulfonated anhydrides, and mixtures thereof.

[0223] In another example, the anionic surfactant is selected from: C 11 -C 18 alkylbenzene sulfonates (“LAS”) and primary, branched, and random C 10 -C 20 alkyl sulfates (“AS”); of the formula CH3(CH2) x (CHOSO3 - M + )CH3 and CH3(CH2) y (CHOSO3 - M + )CH2CH3 of C 10 -C 18 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates, where x and (y + 1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water-solubilizing cation, especially sodium; unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate; C 10 -C 18 α-sulfonated fatty acid esters; C 10 -C 18 sulfated alkyl polyglucosides; C 10 -C 18 alkyl alkoxy sulfates (“AE x S”), where x is from 1 to 30; and C 10 -C 18Alkyl alkoxy carboxylates, such as medium-chain branched alkyl sulfates containing 1 to 5 ethoxy units as described in US 6,020,303 and US 6,060,443; medium-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as described in US 6,008,181 and US 6,020,303; modified alkyl benzene sulfonates (MLAS) as described in WO 99 / 05243, WO 99 / 05242 and WO 99 / 05244; methyl ester sulfonates (MES); and α-olefin sulfonates (AOS).

[0224] b. Cationic surfactant

[0225] Non-limiting examples of suitable cationic surfactants include, but are not limited to, those having the formula (I):

[0226]

[0227] wherein R 1 、R 2 、R 3 and R 4 are each independently selected from (a) aliphatic groups having 1 to 26 carbon atoms, or (b) aryl, alkoxy, polyoxyalkylene, alkyl carboxyl, alkyl amido, hydroxyalkyl, aryl or alkylaryl groups having up to 22 carbon atoms; and X is a salt-forming anion such as selected from halogens (e.g., chloride ion, bromide ion), acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate, and alkyl sulfate groups. In one example, the alkyl sulfate is methyl sulfate and / or ethyl sulfate.

[0228] Suitable quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactants of the general formula (I) may include cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (BTAC), stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium chloride, octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, octyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, decyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, stearyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, didodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, distearoyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride, coco acyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, 2-ethylhexyl stearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dipalmitoylethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, distearoyloxyethyl dimethyl methyl sulfate ammonium, PEG-2 octenyl ammonium chloride and its salts, wherein the chlorine is replaced by a halogen (e.g., bromine), acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate or alkyl sulfate.

[0229] Non-limiting examples of suitable cationic surfactants may be available under the trade name Obtained commercially from Akzo Nobel Surfactants (Chicago, IL).

[0230] In one example, suitable cationic surfactants include, for example, quaternary ammonium surfactants having up to 26 carbon atoms, including: alkoxylated quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactants as described in US 6,136,769; dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium as described in 6,004,922; dimethyl hydroxyethyl lauryl ammonium chloride; polyamine cationic surfactants as described in WO 98 / 35002, WO 98 / 35003, WO 98 / 35004, WO 98 / 35005, and WO 98 / 35006; cationic ester surfactants as described in US patents 4,228,042, 4,239,660, 4,260,529, and US 6,022,844; and amino surfactants as described in US 6,221,825 and WO 00 / 47708, such as acylamidopropyl dimethylamine (APA).

[0231] In one example, the cationic ester surfactant is hydrolyzable under laundry washing conditions.

[0232] c. Non - ionic surfactant

[0233] Non-limiting examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated alcohols (AE) and alkylphenols, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides (PFAA), alkyl polyglucosides (APG), C 10 -C 18 glycerol ethers, etc.

[0234] In one example, non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants useful in the present disclosure include: C 12 -C 18 alkyl ethoxylates, such as the nonionic surfactant from Shell; C6-C 12 alkylphenol alkoxylates, where the alkoxylate units are a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units; C 12 -C 18 alcohols and condensates of C6-C 12 alkylphenols with ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block alkyl polyamine ethoxylates, such as the from BASF; C 14 -C 22 medium-chain branched alcohols BA as described in US 6,153,577, US 6,020,303, and US 6,093,856; C 14 -C 22Mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxylates BAE x where x is from 1 to 30; alkyl polysaccharides as described in Llenado's US 4,565,647 published on January 26, 1986; specifically, alkyl polyglycosides as described in US 4,483,780 and US 4,483,779; polyhydroxy detergent acid amides as described in US 5,332,528; and ether-capped poly(alkoxylated) alcohol surfactants as described in US 6,482,994 and WO01 / 42408.

[0235] Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants suitable for the present disclosure include: 15-S-9(C 11 -C 15 condensation product of a straight-chain alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide) and 24-L-6NMW(C 12 -C 14 condensation product of a primary alcohol with 6 moles of ethylene oxide having a narrow molecular weight distribution), both sold by Dow Chemical Company; 45-9(C 14 -C 15 condensation product of a straight-chain alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), 23-3(C 12 -C 13 condensation product of a straight-chain alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide), 45-7(C 14 -C 15 condensation product of a straight-chain alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide) and 45-5(C 14 -C 15 condensation product of a straight-chain alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide); EOB(C 13 -C 15 condensation product of an alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide) sold by The Procter&Gamble Company; and Genapol LA O3O or O5O(C 12 -C 14 condensation product of an alcohol with 3 or 5 moles of ethylene oxide) sold by Clariant. The nonionic surfactants can exhibit an HLB range of about 8 to about 17 and / or about 8 to about 14. Condensation products with propylene oxide and / or butylene oxide can also be used.

[0236] Polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkylphenols are also suitable as the nonionic surfactants of the present disclosure. These compounds include the condensation products of alkylphenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms and forming a straight-chain or branched configuration with alkylene oxides. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include CO-630; and X-45, X-114, X-100, and X-102, all of which are sold by Dow Chemical Company.

[0237] For automatic dishwashing applications, low-foaming nonionic surfactants can be used. Suitable low-foaming nonionic surfactants are disclosed in US 7,271,138, column 7, lines 10 to 60.

[0238] Examples of other suitable nonionic surfactants are commercially available surfactants sold by BASF; commercially available compounds sold by BASF; and commercially available surfactants sold by BASF.

[0239] d. Zwitterionic surfactant

[0240] Non-limiting examples of zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants include: derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines; derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines; or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium, or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See U.S. Patent 3,929,678, column 19, line 38 to column 22, line 48, for example, zwitterionic surfactants; betaines, including alkyl dimethyl betaines and coconut oil dimethylamidopropyl betaines, C8 to C 18 (e.g., C 12 to C 18 ) amine oxides and sulfobetaines and hydroxysulfobetaines, such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamino-1-propane sulfonates, where the alkyl group can be C8 to C 18 , and in certain examples is C 10 to C 14 .

[0241] e. Amphoteric surfactant

[0242] Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants include: aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines (wherein the aliphatic group may be straight-chain or branched-chain) and mixtures thereof. One of the aliphatic substituents may contain at least about 8 carbon atoms, such as from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, such as carboxyl, sulfonate, sulfate. Suitable examples of amphoteric surfactants are described in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, column 19, lines 18-35.

[0243] Fragrance

[0244] One or more fragrances and / or fragrance raw materials such as accord and / or perfume may be incorporated into one or more fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure. The fragrance may comprise a fragrance component selected from: aldehyde fragrance components, ketone fragrance components, and mixtures thereof.

[0245] One or more fragrances and / or fragrance components may be included in the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure. Numerous natural and synthetic chemical components used as fragrances and / or fragrance components include, but are not limited to, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and mixtures thereof. Also included are various natural extracts and essential oils, which may contain complex mixtures of various components, such as orange oil, lemon oil, rose extract, lavender, musk plant, pogostemon cablin, balsam of peru, sandalwood oil, pine oil, cedar, etc. The finished fragrance may contain extremely complex mixtures of such components. In one example, the finished fragrance typically comprises from about 0.01% to about 10%, and / or from about 0.01% to about 8%, and / or from about 0.01% to about 6%, and / or from about 0.01% to about 4%, and / or from about 0.01% to about 2%, and / or from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry particle and / or dry fibrous structure.

[0246] Fragrance delivery system

[0247] Certain fragrance delivery systems, methods of preparing certain fragrance delivery systems, and uses of such fragrance delivery systems are disclosed in USPA 2007 / 0275866 A1. Non-limiting examples of fragrance delivery systems include the following systems:

[0248] I. Polymer-Assisted Delivery (PAD): This fragrance delivery technique uses polymer materials to deliver fragrance materials. Some examples are typical agglomerates, water-soluble or partially water-soluble to insoluble charged or neutral polymers, liquid crystals, hot melts, hydrogels, fragrance-filled plastics, microcapsules, nanolatexes and microlatexes, polymer film formers and polymer absorbers, polymer adsorbents, etc. PAD includes, but is not limited to:

[0249] a.) Matrix system: The fragrance is dissolved or dispersed in a polymer matrix or particles. The fragrance can be, for example, 1) dispersed into the polymer before being formulated into the product, or 2) added separately from the polymer during or after formulating the product. Although many other triggering factors for controlling fragrance release are known, diffusion of the fragrance from the polymer is a common triggering mechanism that allows the fragrance to be released from the polymer matrix system deposited or applied to the desired surface (site) at a certain rate or to increase that rate. Absorption and / or adsorption into or onto polymer particles, films, solutions, etc. are aspects of this technology. Examples are nanoparticles or microparticles composed of organic materials (e.g., latex). Suitable particles include a wide variety of materials, including but not limited to polyacetals, polyacrylates, polyacrylic acids, polyacrylonitriles, polyamides, polyaryletherketones, polybutadienes, polybutenes, polybutylene terephthalates, polychloroprenes, polyethylenes, polyethylene terephthalates, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalates, polycarbonates, polychloroprenes, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyketones, polyesters, polyethylenes, polyetherimides, polyethersulfones, chlorinated polyethylenes, polyimides, polyisoprenes, polylactic acids, polymethylpentenes, polyphenylene ethers, polyphenylene sulfides, polyphthalamides, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polysulfones, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl chlorides, and polymers or copolymers based on acrylonitrile-butadiene, cellulose acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl alcohol, styrene-butadiene, vinyl acetate-ethylene, and mixtures thereof.

[0250] "Standard" systems refer to "those preloaded" that are designed to keep preloaded fragrance associated with the polymer until one or more moments of fragrance release. Such polymers can also suppress the pure product odor and provide intense and / or long-lasting beneficial effects, depending on the fragrance release rate. One challenge with such systems is to achieve an optimal balance between 1) stability in the product (keeping the fragrance within the carrier until you need it) and 2) timely release (during use or from the drying site). Achieving such stability is particularly important during product storage and product aging. This problem is particularly evident for water-based products containing surfactants such as heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents. When formulated into water-based products, many of the "standard" matrix systems that can be effectively obtained become "equilibrium" systems. An "equilibrium" system or a "storage" system can be selected that has acceptable diffusion stability in the product and an available trigger mechanism for release (such as friction). An "equilibrium" system is one in which the fragrance and the polymer can be added separately to the product, and the balanced interaction between the fragrance and the polymer results in beneficial effects at one or more consumer contact points (relative to free fragrance without polymer-assisted delivery technology). The polymer can also preload the fragrance; however, part or all of the fragrance may diffuse during product storage to reach an equilibrium that includes the desired perfume raw material (PRM) associated with the polymer. The polymer then carries the fragrance to the surface and is typically released via fragrance diffusion. The use of such equilibrium system polymers potentially reduces the pure product odor intensity of the pure product (even more so for preloaded standard systems). The deposition of such polymers can serve to "flatten" the release curve and provide extended persistence. As described above, such persistence will be achieved by suppressing the initial intensity and may enable formulators to use higher-impact or low odor detection threshold (ODT) or low Kovats index (KI) PRMs to obtain the initial product odor beneficial effects without too strong or distorted an initial intensity. Importantly, the fragrance release occurs during the application period to affect the desired one or more consumer contact points. Suitable microparticles and microemulsions and methods for their preparation can be found in USPA 2005 / 0003980 A1. Matrix systems also include hot melt adhesives and scented plastics. In addition, hydrophobically modified polysaccharides can be formulated into scented products to increase fragrance deposition and / or improve fragrance release. All such matrix systems, including for example polysaccharides and nanolatexes, can be combined with other PDTs, including other PAD systems such as PAD storage systems in the form of perfume microcapsules (PMC).Polymer-Assisted Delivery (PAD) matrix systems can include those described in the following references: U.S. Patent Application 2004 / 0110648A1; 2004 / 0092414A1; 2004 / 0091445A1 and 2004 / 0087476A1; and U.S. Patents 6,531,444; 6,024,943; 6,042,792; 6,051,540; 4,540,721 and 4,973,422.

[0251] Silicones are also examples of polymers that can be used in PDT and can provide fragrance benefits in a manner similar to that of the Polymer-Assisted Delivery "matrix systems". Such PDTs are referred to as Silicone-Assisted Delivery (SAD). The silicones can be pre-loaded with the fragrance or used as equilibration systems, as described for PAD. Suitable silicones and methods for their preparation can be found in WO2005 / 102261; USPA20050124530A1; USPA 20050143282A1; and WO 2003 / 015736. Functionalized silicones as described in US 2006 / 003913 A1 can also be used. Examples of silicones include polydimethylsiloxane and polyalkyl dimethylsiloxane. Other examples include those having amine functional groups, which can be used to provide benefits associated with Amine-Assisted Delivery (AAD) and / or Polymer-Assisted Delivery (PAD) and / or Amine Reaction Products (ARP). Other such examples can be found in USP 4,911,852; USPA2004 / 0058845A1; USPA 2004 / 0092425 A1 and USPA 2005 / 0003980 A1.

[0252] b.) Reservoir systems: Reservoir systems are also known as core - shell type technologies, or technologies in which the fragrance is encapsulated by a fragrance - release - controlling membrane where the fragrance agent can be used as the protective shell. The material inside the microcapsule is called the core, internal phase, or filling, while the wall is sometimes called the shell, coating, or membrane. Particles or pressure - sensitive capsules or microcapsules are examples of this technology. The microcapsules of the present disclosure are formed by a variety of processes, which include but are not limited to coating, extrusion, spray drying, interfacial polymerization, in - situ polymerization, and matrix polymerization. Possible shell materials vary greatly in their stability to water. Among the most stable are materials based on poly(methylene urea) (PMU), which can retain certain PRMs in an aqueous solution (or product) for an even longer period of time. Such systems include but are not limited to urea - formaldehyde and / or melamine - formaldehyde. Stable shell materials include materials based on polyacrylates, which are obtained in the form of reaction products of an oil - soluble or dispersible amine with a polyfunctional acrylate or methacrylate monomer or oligomer, an oil - soluble acid, and an initiator in the presence of an anionic emulsifier comprising a water - soluble or water - dispersible acrylic alkyl acid copolymer, a base, or a base salt. Microcapsules based on gelatin can be prepared such that they dissolve in water either rapidly or slowly, depending on, for example, the degree of cross - linking. Many other capsule wall materials are available, and different degrees of fragrance diffusion stability are observed. Without being bound by theory, after deposition on a surface, for example, the release rate of the fragrance from the capsule is generally in the reverse order of the fragrance diffusion stability in the product. Thus, for example, urea - formaldehyde and melamine - formaldehyde microcapsules usually require a release mechanism other than or in addition to diffusion release, such as a mechanical force (e.g., friction, pressure, shear stress) for breaking the capsules and increasing the fragrance (fragrance agent) release rate. Other triggering mechanisms include melting, dissolution, hydrolysis, or other chemical reactions, electromagnetic radiation, etc. The use of pre - loaded microcapsules requires an appropriate ratio of stability in the product to release during use and / or on the surface (at the site), and an appropriate selection of PRMs. Microcapsules based on urea - formaldehyde and / or melamine - formaldehyde are relatively stable, especially in near - neutral aqueous solutions. These materials may require a friction - triggering mechanism, which may not be suitable for all product applications. Other microcapsule materials (e.g., gelatin) may be unstable in aqueous - based products and may even provide diminished beneficial effects (relative to free - fragrance control) when aged in the product. The scratch - and - sniff technology is another example of PAD.The perfume microcapsules (PMC) may include those described in the following references: U.S. Patent Applications: 2003 / 0125222A1; 2003 / 215417A1; 2003 / 216488A1; 2003 / 158344A1; 2003 / 165692A1; 2004 / 071742A1; 2004 / 071746A1; 2004 / 072719A1; 2004 / 072720A1; 2006 / 0039934A1; 2003 / 203829A1; 2003 / 195133A1; 2004 / 087477A1; 2004 / 0106536A1; and U.S. Patents 6,645,479B1; 6,200,949B1; 4,882,220; 4,917,920; 4,514,461; 6,106,875 and 4,234,627, 3,594,328 and US RE 32713; PCT Patent Applications: WO2009 / 134234A1, WO 2006 / 127454 A2, WO 2010 / 079466 A2, WO2010 / 079467A2, WO2010 / 079468 A2, WO 2010 / 084480 A2.

[0253] II. Molecular-assisted delivery (MAD): Non-polymeric materials or molecules can also be used to improve the delivery of perfumes. Without being bound by theory, the perfume can non-covalently interact with the organic material, resulting in deposition and / or release changes. Non-limiting examples of such organic materials include, but are not limited to, hydrophobic materials such as organic oils, waxes, mineral oils, petrolatum, fatty acids or esters, sugars, surfactants, liposomes and even other perfume raw materials (perfume oils) as well as natural oils (including body dirt and / or other dirt). Perfume fixatives are another example. In one aspect, the non-polymeric material or molecule has a CLogP greater than about 2. Molecular-assisted delivery (MAD) may also include those described in USP 7,119,060 and USP5,506,201.

[0254] III. Fiber-Assisted Delivery (FAD): The choice of the site itself or its use can be employed to improve the delivery of fragrance. In fact, the site itself can be a fragrance delivery technology. For example, different fabric types such as cotton or polyester will have different properties in terms of their ability to attract and / or retain and / or release fragrance. The amount of fragrance deposited on or within the fiber can be altered based on the choice of fiber, also based on the origin or treatment of the fiber, and based on any fiber coating or treatment. The fibers can be woven and non-woven and can be natural or synthetic. Natural fibers include those prepared from plants, animals, and geological processes and include but are not limited to cellulosic materials such as cotton, linen, hemp, jute, flax, ramie, and sisal, as well as fibers used to make paper and cloth. Fiber-assisted delivery can include the use of wood fibers such as thermomechanical pulp and bleached or unbleached kraft or sulfite pulp. Animal fibers consist of a large number of specific proteins such as silk, feathers, tendons, gut strings, and hair (including wool). Polymer fibers based on synthetic chemistry include but are not limited to polyamide nylon, PET or PBT polyester, phenol formaldehyde (PF), polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVOH), polyvinyl chloride fiber (PVC), polyolefins (PP and PE), and acrylic polymers. All such fibers can be pre-loaded with fragrance and then added to a product, which may or may not contain free fragrance and / or one or more fragrance delivery technologies. In one aspect, the fibers can be added to the product before loading with fragrance, and then the fragrance can be loaded by adding to the product a fragrance that can diffuse into the fibers. Without being bound by theory, the fragrance can be absorbed onto or adsorbed into the fibers, for example, during product storage, and then released at one or more critical times or consumer contact points.

[0255] IV. Amine Assisted Delivery (AAD): The amine assisted delivery technology method utilizes materials containing amine groups to increase fragrance deposition or adjust fragrance release during product use. In this method, there is no need to pre-complex or pre-react one or more fragrance raw materials and amines before adding to the product. In one aspect, the amine-containing AAD materials suitable for use herein can be non-aromatic; for example, polyalkylimines such as polyethyleneimine (PEI) or polyethyleneamine (PVAm), or aromatic such as anthranilate. Such materials can also be polymeric or non-polymeric. In one aspect, such materials contain at least one primary amine. This technology will allow for increased persistence and controlled release of low ODT notes (e.g., aldehydes, ketones, enones) via amine functional groups, and without being bound by theory, the delivery of other PRMs is increased via polymer assisted delivery of polymerized amines. Without the use of technology, volatile top notes may disappear too quickly, leaving a high ratio of middle and base notes to top notes. The use of polyamines allows for higher levels of top notes and other ready-to-use PRMs to achieve freshness persistence without causing the pure product to smell stronger than desired, or allows for top notes and other ready-to-use PRMs to be more effective. In one aspect, the AAD system effectively delivers PRMs at a pH greater than about neutral. Without being bound by theory, conditions in which most of the amines in the AAD system are deprotonated can result in an increased affinity of the deprotonated amines for PRMs such as aldehydes and ketones, including unsaturated ketones and enones such as damascone. On the other hand, polyamines effectively deliver PRMs at a pH less than about neutral. Without being bound by theory, conditions in which most of the amines in the AAD system are protonated can result in a reduced affinity of the protonated amines for PRMs such as aldehydes and ketones, and a polymer backbone with a strong affinity for a variety of PRMs is obtained. In such aspects, polymer-assisted delivery can deliver more fragrance benefits; such systems are a subclass of AAD and can be referred to as amine-polymer-assisted delivery or APAD. In some cases, when APAD is used in a composition having a pH of less than seven, such APAD systems may also be considered polymer-assisted delivery (PAD). On the other hand, AAD and PAD systems may interact with other materials, such as anionic surfactants or polymers to form coacervates and / or coacervate-like systems. On the other hand, materials containing heteroatoms other than nitrogen, such as sulfur, phosphorus or selenium, may be used as substitutes for amine compounds. On the other hand, the aforementioned alternative compounds may be used in combination with amine compounds. On the other hand, a single molecule may contain an amine moiety and one or more alternative heteroatom moieties, such as thiols, phosphines and selenols. Suitable AAD systems and methods for preparing them are found in US patent applications 2005 / 0003980A1; 2003 / 0199422A1; 2003 / 0036489A1; 2004 / 0220074A1 and USP 6,103,678.

[0256] V. Cyclodextrin Delivery Systems (CD): This technique uses cyclic oligosaccharides or cyclodextrins to improve the delivery of fragrances. Usually, fragrance and cyclodextrin (CD) complexes are formed. Such complexes can be pre-formed, formed in situ, or formed on or within a site. Without being bound by theory, water loss can be used to shift the equilibrium towards the CD-fragrance complex, especially when other auxiliary components (such as surfactants) are not present at high concentrations and do not compete with the fragrance for the cyclodextrin cavity. If exposure to water or an increase in water content occurs at a later time point, a beneficial effect on intensity can be obtained. In addition, cyclodextrins allow for increased flexibility for fragrance formulators in selecting PRMs. Cyclodextrins can be pre-loaded with fragrance or added separately from the fragrance to achieve the desired fragrance stability, deposition, or release benefits. Suitable CDs and their preparation methods can be found in USPA 2005 / 0003980 A1 and 2006 / 0263313 A1, as well as U.S. Patents 5,552,378; 3,812,011; 4,317,881; 4,418,144; and 4,378,923.

[0257] VI. Starch-Encapsulated Admixtures (SEA): The use of the starch-encapsulated admixture (SEA) technique allows for the conversion of liquid fragrances into solids by adding ingredients such as starch, for example, and for adjusting the properties of the fragrance. Beneficial effects include improved fragrance retention during product storage, especially under non-aqueous conditions. After contact with water, fragrance intensity can be triggered. Beneficial effects can also be obtained at other critical times because starch allows product formulators to select PRMs or PRM concentrations that are not normally usable in the absence of SEA. Another example of the technique includes using other organic and inorganic materials such as silica to convert the fragrance from a liquid to a solid. Suitable SEAs and their preparation methods can be found in USPA 2005 / 0003980 A1 and USP 6,458,754 B1.

[0258] VII. Inorganic Carrier Delivery System (ZIC): This technology involves the use of porous zeolites or other inorganic materials for delivering fragrances. The zeolite loaded with the fragrance can be used with or without an adjuvant component, which is used, for example, to coat the zeolite loaded with the fragrance (PLZ) to change its fragrance release characteristics during product storage or use, or to change its characteristics of releasing the fragrance from the drying site. Suitable zeolites and inorganic carriers and their preparation methods can be found in USPA 2005 / 0003980 A1 and U.S. Patents 5,858,959; 6,245,732 B1; 6,048,830 and 4,539,135. Silica is another form of ZIC. Another example of a suitable inorganic carrier includes inorganic microtubes, where the fragrance or other active material is contained within the lumen of the nano- or micro-tubes. In one aspect, the inorganic microtube loaded with the fragrance (or Tubule or PLT loaded with the fragrance) is a mineral nano- or micro-tube, such as halloysite or a mixture of halloysite and other inorganic materials including other clays. The PLT technology can also include additional components on the inner and / or outer sides of the microtube for purposes of improving diffusion stability in the product, depositing at the desired site, or controlling the release rate of the loaded fragrance. Monomeric materials and / or polymeric materials, including starch encapsulates, can be used to coat, stuff, cap, or otherwise encapsulate the PLT. Suitable PLT systems and their preparation methods can be found in USP5,651,976.

[0259] VIII. Precursor Fragrances (PP): This technology refers to fragrance technology that results from the reaction of fragrance materials with other matrices or chemicals to form materials having covalent bonds between one or more PRMs and one or more carriers. The PRM is converted into a new material called pre-PRM (i.e., precursor fragrance), which can then release the initial PRM upon exposure to triggers such as water or light. Precursor fragrances can provide enhanced fragrance delivery characteristics such as improved fragrance deposition, persistence, stability, retention, etc. Precursor fragrances include those that are monomers (non-polymers) or polymers and can be preformed or formed in situ under equilibrium conditions such as those present during storage in a product or those present on wet or dry sites. Non-limiting examples of precursor fragrances include Michael adducts (e.g., β-aminoketones), aromatic or non-aromatic imines (Schiff bases), oxazolidines, β-ketoesters, and orthoesters. On the other hand, compounds containing one or more β-oxo or β-thiocarbonyl moieties that are capable of releasing PRM are included, such as α,β-unsaturated ketones, aldehydes, or carboxylic acid esters. The typical trigger mechanism for fragrance release is contact with water; however, other trigger mechanisms can include enzymes, heat, light, pH change, natural oxidation, change in equilibrium, change in concentration or ionic concentration, etc. For water-based products, photo-triggered precursor fragrances are particularly suitable. Such photo-triggered precursor fragrances (PPP) include, but are not limited to, those that release coumarin derivatives and fragrances and / or precursor fragrances upon triggering. The released precursor fragrance can release one or more PRMs via any of the above trigger mechanisms. In one aspect, the photo-triggered precursor fragrance releases a nitrogen-based precursor fragrance upon contact with the light and / or moisture trigger mechanism. In another aspect, the nitrogen-based precursor fragrance released by the photo-triggered precursor fragrance releases one or more PRMs selected from, for example, aldehydes, ketones (including enones), and alcohols. In another aspect, the PPP releases dihydroxycoumarin derivatives. The photo-triggered precursor fragrance can also be an ester that releases a coumarin derivative and a fragrance alcohol. In one aspect, the precursor fragrance is a benzoin dimethyl ether derivative as described in USPA 2006 / 0020459 A1. In another aspect, the precursor fragrance is a 3',5'-benzoin dimethyl ether (DMB) derivative that releases an alcohol upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. In another aspect, the precursor fragrance releases one or more PRMs with low ODT, including tertiary alcohols such as linalool, tetrahydrolinalool, or dihydromyrcenol.Suitable pro-fragrances and methods for their preparation can be found in U.S. Patents 7,018,978 B2; 6,987,084 B2; 6,956,013 B2; 6,861,402 B1; 6,544,945 B1; 6,093,691; 6,277,796 B1; 6,165,953; 6,316,397 B1; 6,437,150 B1; 6,4 6,987,084 B2; 6,610,646 B2 and 5,958,870, and can be found in USPA 2005 / 0003980 A1 and USPA 2006 / 0223726 A1.

[0260] a.) Amine Reaction Products (ARPs): For the purposes of this patent application, ARPs are subtypes or species of PPs. One may also use "reactive" polymeric amines, wherein the amine functionality is pre-reacted with one or more PRMs to form an amine reaction product (ARP). Typically, reactive amines are primary and / or secondary amines, and may be part of a polymer or a monomer (non-polymer). Such ARPs may also be mixed with additional PRMs to provide the benefits of polymer-assisted delivery and / or amine-assisted delivery. Non-limiting examples of polymeric amines include polyalkylimines-based polymers, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI) or polyethyleneamine (PVAm). Non-limiting examples of monomeric (non-polymeric) amines include hydroxylamines, such as 2-aminoethanol and its alkyl-substituted derivatives, and aromatic amines such as anthranilates. ARPs may be pre-mixed with fragrances, or added separately to leave-on or rinse-off applications. On the other hand, substances containing heteroatoms other than nitrogen, such as oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, or selenium, may be used as substitutes for amine compounds. On the other hand, the aforementioned substitute compounds may be used in combination with amine compounds. In another aspect, a single molecule may comprise an amine moiety and one or more alternative heteroatom moieties, such as thiols, phosphines, and selenols. Beneficial effects may include improved delivery of fragrances and controlled fragrance release. Suitable ARPs and methods of making them are found in USPA 2005 / 0003980 A1 and USP 6,413,920 B1.

[0261] Antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal agents

[0262] In one example, the pyrithione particles are antimicrobial active agents suitable for use in the present disclosure. In one example, the antimicrobial active agent is a 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione salt and is in particulate form. In one example, based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry particles and / or dry fibrous structure of the present disclosure, the concentration of the pyrithione particles ranges from about 0.01 wt% to about 5 wt%, or from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, or from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%. In one example, the pyrithione salts are those formed from heavy metals such as zinc, tin, cadmium, magnesium, aluminum, and zirconium (typically zinc), typically the zinc salt of 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione (referred to as "zinc pyrithione" or "ZPT"), and typically the 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione salt in the form of flake particles. In one example, the 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione salt in the form of flake particles has an average particle size of at most about 20 microns, or at most about 5 microns, or at most about 2.5 microns as measured by the median particle size test method described herein. Salts formed from other cations such as sodium may also be suitable. The pyrithione active substance is described, for example, in U.S. Patent 2,809,971; U.S. Patent 3,236,733; U.S. Patent 3,753,196; U.S. Patent 3,761,418; U.S. Patent 4,345,080; U.S. Patent 4,323,683; U.S. Patent 4,379,753; and U.S. Patent 4,470,982.

[0263] In another example, the antimicrobial agent is selected from triclosan, triclocarban, chlorhexidine, metronidazole, and mixtures thereof.

[0264] In one example, in addition to the antimicrobial active substance selected from mercapto pyridine oxide polyvalent metal salts, the composition may further comprise one or more antifungal and / or antimicrobial active substances. In one example, the antimicrobial active substances are selected from: coal tar, sulfur, azoles, selenium sulfide, granular sulfur, keratolytic agents, charcoal, compound benzoic acid ointment, Castellani's paint, aluminum chloride, gentian violet, octopirox (octopirox ethanolamine), ciclopirox olamine, undecylenic acid and its metal salts, potassium permanganate, selenium sulfide, sodium thiosulfate, propylene glycol, bitter orange oil, urea preparations, griseofulvin, 8-hydroxyquinoline chloroiodoquine, thiodibazole, thiocarbamate, haloprogin, polyenes, hydroxypyridone, morpholine, benzylamine, allylamines (such as terbinafine), tea tree oil, clove leaf oil, coriander, palmarosa, berberine, thyme red, cinnamon oil, cinnamaldehyde, citronellic acid, hinokitiol, sulfonated shale oil, Sensiva SC-50, Elestab HP-100, azelaic acid, lysol, iodopropargyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), isothiazolinones such as octyl isothiazolinone and azoles, and mixtures thereof.

[0265] Bleach

[0266] The fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure may comprise one or more bleaching agents. Non-limiting examples of suitable bleaching agents include peroxyacids, perborates, percarbonates, chlorine bleaches, color-safe bleaches, hypochlorite bleaches, bleach precursors, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, hydrogen peroxide, bleach boosters, optical bleaches, bleach enzymes, free radical initiators, peroxy bleaching agents, and mixtures thereof.

[0267] One or more bleaching agents that may be included in the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure are included at a level of from about 0.05% to about 30% and / or from about 1% to about 20% by weight based on the weight of the dry fibrous elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fibrous structure. When present, the bleach activator may be present in the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure at a level of from about 0.1% to about 60% and / or from about 0.5% to about 40% by weight based on the weight of the dry fibrous elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fibrous structure.

[0268] Non-limiting examples of bleaching agents include color-safe bleaches, perborate bleaches, percarboxylic acid bleaches and their salts, peroxy bleaching agents, persulfate bleaches, percarbonate bleaches, and mixtures thereof. Additionally, non-limiting examples of bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,483,781, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 740,446, European Patent Application 0 133 354, U.S. Patent 4,412,934, and U.S. Patent 4,634,551.

[0269] Non-limiting examples of bleach activators (such as acyl lactams) are described in U.S. Patents 4,915,854; 4,412,934; 4,634,551; and 4,966,723.

[0270] In one example, the bleach comprises a transition metal bleach catalyst, which may be encapsulated. Transition metal bleach catalysts typically contain transition metal ions, such as transition metal ions from a transition metal selected from: Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Mn(V), Fe(II), Fe(III), Fe(IV), Co(I), Co(II), Co(III), Ni(I), Ni(II), Ni(III), Cu(I), Cu(II), Cu(III), Cr(II), Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), Cr(VI), V(III), V(IV), V(V), Mo(IV), Mo(V), Mo(VI), W(IV), W(V), W(VI), Pd(II), Ru(II), Ru(III), and Ru(IV). In one example, the transition metal is selected from: Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Fe(II), Fe(III), Cr(II), Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), and Cr(VI). Transition metal bleach catalysts typically contain ligands, such as macrocyclic ligands such as cross-linked macrocyclic ligands. The transition metal ions may coordinate with the ligands. Additionally, the ligand may contain at least four coordinating atoms, at least two of which are bridging coordinating atoms. Non-limiting examples of suitable transition metal bleach catalysts are described in U.S. 5,580,485, U.S. 4,430,243; U.S. 4,728,455; U.S. 5,246,621; U.S. 5,244,594; U.S. 5,284,944; U.S. 5,194,416; U.S. 5,246,612; U.S. 5,256,779; U.S. 5,280,117; U.S. 5,274,147; U.S. 5,153,161; U.S. 5,227,084; U.S. 5,114,606; U.S. 5,114,611, EP 549,271A1; EP 544,490A1; EP549,272A1; and EP544,440A2. In one example, suitable transition metal bleach catalysts include manganese-based catalysts, such as those disclosed in U.S. 5,576,282. In another example, suitable cobalt bleach catalysts are described in U.S. 5,597,936 and U.S. 5,595,967. Such cobalt catalysts are readily prepared by known procedures, such as those taught in U.S. 5,597,936 and U.S. 5,595,967. In another example, suitable transition metal bleach catalysts comprise transition metal complexes with ligands such as bispiperidine, described in WO 05 / 042532A1.

[0271] Non-limiting examples of bleaching catalysts include catalyst systems that contain transition metal cations having a defined bleaching catalytic activity, such as copper cations, iron cations, titanium cations, ruthenium cations, tungsten cations, molybdenum cations or manganese cations, auxiliary metal cations having a very low or no bleaching catalytic activity, such as zinc cations or aluminum cations, and chelating agents having a defined stability constant for the catalytic metal cations and the auxiliary metal cations, in particular ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and their water-soluble salts. Such catalysts are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,430,243. Other types of bleaching catalysts include manganese-based complexes, disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,246,621 and U.S. Patent 5,244,594. Preferred examples of these catalysts include Mn IV 2(μ-O)3(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(PF6)2 (“MnTACN”), Mn III 2(μ-O)1(μ-OAc)2(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(ClO4)2, Mn IV 4(μ-O)6(1,4,7-triazacyclononane)4-(ClO4)2, Mn III Mn IV4(u-O)1(u-OAc)2(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)2-(ClO4)3, and mixtures thereof. See also European Patent Application Publication 549,272. Other ligands suitable for use herein include 1,5,9-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododecane, 2-methyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, 2-methyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, and mixtures thereof. A bleaching catalyst that can also be selected for use in automatic dishwashing compositions and concentrated powder detergent compositions is a bleaching catalyst suitable for the present disclosure. Examples of suitable bleaching catalysts are described in U.S. Patent 4,246,612 and U.S. Patent 5,227,084. See also U.S. Patent 5,194,416, which teaches mononuclear manganese(IV) complexes such as Mn(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)(OCH3)3-(PF6). As disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,114,606, another type of bleaching catalyst is a water-soluble complex of manganese(II), manganese(III), and / or manganese(IV) with a ligand that is a non-carboxylate polyhydroxy compound having at least three contiguous C-OH groups. Preferred ligands include sorbitol, iditol, galactitol, mannitol, xylitol, arabinitol, adonitol, meso-erythritol, meso-inositol, lactose, and mixtures thereof. U.S. Patent 5,114,611 teaches a bleaching catalyst comprising a complex of a transition metal with a non-(macro)cyclic ligand, the transition metal including Mn, Co, Fe, or Cu. Non-limiting examples of ligands include pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, imidazole, pyrazole, and triazole rings. In one example, the ligand is 2,2'-bipyridylamine. In one example, the bleaching catalyst includes Co, Cu, Mn, Fe-bipyridylmethane and -bipyridylamine complexes such as Co(2,2'-bipyridylamine)Cl2, bis(isothiocyanatooxy)bipyridylamine-cobalt(II), terpyridylamine-cobalt(II) perchlorate, Co(2,2-bipyridylamine)2O2ClO4, bis-(2,2'-bipyridylamine)copper(II) perchlorate, tris(di-2-pyridylamine)iron(II) perchlorate, and mixtures thereof. Other examples of bleaching catalysts include manganese gluconate, Mn(CF3SO3)2, Co(NH3)5CI, and binuclear Mn complexed with tetra-N-dentate and di-N-dentate ligands, including N4Mn(III)(u-O)2Mn(IV)N4) + and [Bipy2Mn(III)(u-O)2Mn(IV)bipy2]-(ClO4)3.

[0272] Bleaching catalysts can also be prepared by combining a water-soluble ligand with a water-soluble manganese salt in an aqueous medium and concentrating the resulting mixture by evaporation. Any suitable water-soluble manganese salt can be used herein. Readily available commercially are manganese (II), (III), (IV), and / or (V). In some cases, sufficient manganese may be present in the wash liquor, but generally, it is preferred that the detergent composition in the composition contains Mn cations to ensure its presence in a catalytically effective amount. Thus, the sodium salt of the ligand and a member selected from MnSO4, Mn(ClO4)2, or MnCl2 (at least preferably) can be dissolved in water in a molar ratio such that at neutral or slightly alkaline pH, the molar ratio of ligand:Mn salt is in the range of about 1:4 to 4:1. The water can first be deoxygenated by boiling and cooled by spraying with nitrogen. The resulting solution is evaporated (if desired, under N2), and the resulting solid is used in the bleaching compositions and detergent compositions herein without further purification.

[0273] In another alternative mode, a water-soluble manganese source such as MnSO4 is added to the bleaching / cleaning composition or to an aqueous bleaching / cleaning bath containing the ligand. Some types of complexes are formed in situ apparently, and improved bleaching performance is ensured. In such in situ treatments, a ligand in a molar amount significantly exceeding that of manganese can be conveniently used, and the molar ratio of ligand:Mn is typically from 3:1 to 15:1. The additional ligand is also used to scavenge wandering metal ions such as iron and copper, thereby avoiding bleach decomposition. One such possible system is described in European Patent Application Publication 549,271.

[0274] Although the structure of the bleaching-catalytic manganese complexes useful in the present disclosure has not been elucidated, it is speculated that it comprises chelates or other hydrated-coordinated complexes resulting from the interaction of the carboxyl and nitrogen atoms of the ligand with the manganese cation. Similarly, the oxidation state of the manganese cation during the catalytic process is not determined and can be in the (+II), (+III), (+IV), or (+V) valence states. Due to the possible six points of attachment to the manganese cation, it is reasonable to speculate that polynuclear species and / or "cage-like" structures may exist in the aqueous bleaching medium. Whatever the actual form of the active Mn-ligand species present, it provides improved bleaching performance in a catalytic form for stubborn stains such as tea, ketchup, coffee, wine, fruit juices, etc.

[0275] Other bleaching catalysts are described, for example, in European Patent Application Publication No. 408,131 (cobalt complex catalysts), European Patent Application Publication Nos. 384,503 and 306,089 (metal porphyrin catalysts), U.S. Patent No. 4,728,455 (manganese / polydentate ligand catalysts), U.S. Patent Nos. 4,711,748 and European Patent Application Publication No. 224,952 (manganese absorbed on aluminosilicate catalysts), U.S. Patent No. 4,601,845 (manganese salts, zinc salts or magnesium salts on an aluminosilicate support), U.S. Patent No. 4,626,373 (manganese / ligand catalysts), U.S. Patent No. 4,119,557 (iron complex catalysts), German Patent Specification No. 2,054,019 (cobalt chelating agents catalysts), Canadian Patent No. 866,191 (salts containing transition metals), U.S. Patent No. 4,430,243 (chelating agents having manganese cations and non-catalytic metal cations) and U.S. Patent No. 4,728,455 (manganese gluconate catalysts).

[0276] In one example, the bleaching catalyst comprises a pentaamine cobalt salt having the formula [Co(NH3)5Cl]Y y , and especially [Co(NH3)5Cl]CI2. Other cobalt bleaching catalysts useful herein, together with their base hydrolysis rates, are described, for example, in M.L. Tobe, “Base Hydrolysis of Transition-Metal Complexes”, Adv. Inorg. Bioinorg. Mech., (1983), 2, pp. 1-94. For example, Table 1 on page 17 provides the base hydrolysis rates (designated herein as k OH ) of pentaamine cobalt catalysts complexed with the following groups: oxalate formate (k OH = 5.8 × 10 -4 M -1 s -1 ), and acetate The most preferred cobalt catalysts useful herein are pentaamine cobalt acetate salts having the formula [Co(NH3)5OAc]T y , where OAc represents the acetate moiety, and especially pentaamine cobalt acetate chloride [Co(NH3)5OAc]Cl2; and [Co(NH3)5OAc](OAc)2; [Co(NH3)5OAc](PF6)2; [Co(NH3)5OAc](SO4); [Co(NH3)5OAc](BF4)2; and [Co(NH3)5OAc](NO3)2.

[0277] These bleaching catalysts can be readily prepared by known processes, as taught in the aforementioned Tobe article and the following references cited herein: U.S. Patent 4,810,410 to Diakun et al., issued Mar. 7, 1989, J. Chem. Ed. (1989), 66(12), 1043-45; The Synthesis and Characterization of Inorganic Compounds, W. L. Jolly (Prentice-Hall; 1970), pp. 461-463; Inorg. Chem., 18, 1497-1502 (1979); Inorg. Chem., 21, 2881-2885 (1982); Inorg. Chem., 18, 2023-2025 (1979); Inorg. Synthesis, 173-176 (1960); and Journal of Physical Chemistry 56, 22-25 (1952). If desired for the aesthetics of the product, these bleaching catalysts can also be co-processed with adjuvant materials to reduce color effects, or can be incorporated into the enzyme-containing granules exemplified below, or the composition can be prepared to contain catalyst "speckles".

[0278] Bleaching agents other than oxidative bleaching agents are also known in the art and can be utilized herein (e.g., photoactivated bleaching agents such as sulfonated zinc and / or aluminum phthalocyanines (U.S. Patent 4,033,718, which is incorporated herein by reference)), and / or preformed organic peracids such as peroxycarboxylic acids or their salts, and / or peroxysulfonic acids or their salts. In one example, suitable organic peracids include phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid or its salt. When present, photoactivated bleaching agents such as zinc sulfonated phthalocyanine can be present at a level of from about 0.025% to about 1.25% by weight based on the weight of the dry fibrous element and / or dry granules and / or dry fibrous structure of the present disclosure.

[0279] Non-limiting examples of bleaching activators are selected from tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), benzoylcaprolactam (BzCL), 4-nitrobenzoylcaprolactam, 3-chlorobenzoylcaprolactam, benzoyloxybenzenesulfonate (BOBS), nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), phenyl benzoate (PhBz), decanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (C 10-OBS), benzoylvalerolactam (BZVL), octanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (C8-OBS), fully hydrolyzable esters, and mixtures thereof, most preferably benzoylcaprolactam and benzoylvalerolactam. Particularly preferred bleach activators having a pH in the range of from about 8 to about 9.5 are those selected with OBS or VL leaving groups. Quaternary substituted bleach activators (quaternary substituted bleach activators (QSBA) or quaternary substituted peracids (QSP)) may also be included.

[0280] Non-limiting examples of organic peroxides such as diacyl peroxides are fully shown in Kirk Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Volume 17, John Wiley and Sons, 1982, pages 27-90, and especially on pages 63-72, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. If diacyl peroxides are used, they may be substances that have a minimal adverse effect on spotting / staining.

[0281] Dye transfer inhibitor

[0282] The fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure may include one or more dye transfer inhibitors. Suitable polymeric dye transfer inhibitors include, but are not limited to, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyl oxazolidone, and polyvinylimidazole, or mixtures thereof. The dye transfer inhibitor may be present in the fibrous elements and / or particles and / or fibrous structures of the present disclosure in an amount of from about 0.0001% to about 10%, from about 0.01% to about 5%, or even from about 0.1% to about 3% by weight based on the weight of the dry fibrous elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fibrous structure.

[0283] Whitening agent

[0284] The fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure may include active agents, such as optical brighteners, for example, fluorescent brighteners. Such brighteners may color the articles being cleaned.

[0285] The fibrous elements and / or particles may include the α-crystalline form of C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 260, which has the following structure:

[0286]

[0287] In one aspect, the brightener is a cold water-soluble brightener, such as the α-crystalline form of C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 260.

[0288] In one aspect, the optical brightener is predominantly in the α-crystalline form, meaning that typically at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 99 wt% or even substantially all of the C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 260 is in the α-crystalline form.

[0289] The optical brightener is typically in the form of micronized particles having a weight average primary particle size of 3 μm to 30 μm, 3 μm to 20 μm or 3 μm to 10 μm as measured according to the median particle size test method.

[0290] The composition may contain the C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 260 in the β-crystalline form, and the weight ratio of (i) the C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 260 in the α-crystalline form to (ii) the C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 260 in the β-crystalline form may be at least 0.1 or at least 0.6.

[0291] BE680847 relates to a process for preparing the C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 260 in the α-crystalline form.

[0292] The commercial optical brighteners useful in the present disclosure can be divided into several subclasses, which include but are not necessarily limited to stilbenes, pyrazolines, coumarins, carboxylic acids, polymethine cyanines, 5,5'-sulfoxides of fluorene, oxazoles, 5- and 6-membered ring heterocyclic derivatives, and other miscellaneous agents. Examples of such brighteners are disclosed in “The Production and Application of Fluorescent Brightening Agents”, M. Zahradnik, Published by John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982). Specific non-limiting examples of the optical brighteners for use in the compositions of the present invention are those identified in U.S. Patent 4,790,856 and U.S. Patent 3,646,015.

[0293] Other suitable optical brighteners have the following structures:

[0294]

[0295] Suitable levels of the fluorescent brightener include lower levels of about 0.01 wt%, about 0.05 wt%, about 0.1 wt%, or even about 0.2 wt% to higher levels of 0.5 wt% or even 0.75 wt%.

[0296] In one aspect, the optical brightener can be loaded onto clay to form particles.

[0297] Toner

[0298] The composition may comprise a toner. Suitable toners include dyes, dye-clay conjugates, and pigments. Suitable dyes include small molecule dyes and polymeric dyes. Suitable small molecule dyes include small molecule dyes selected from the group consisting of dyes belonging to the Color Index (C.I.) classes of direct blue, direct red, direct violet, acid blue, acid red, acid violet, basic blue, basic violet, and basic red, or mixtures thereof.

[0299] In another aspect, suitable small molecule dyes include small molecule dyes selected from the group consisting of small molecule dyes having Color Index (Society of Dyers and Colourists, Bradford, UK) numbers Direct Violet 9, Direct Violet 35, Direct Violet 48, Direct Violet 51, Direct Violet 66, Direct Violet 99, Direct Blue 1, Direct Blue 71, Direct Blue 80, Direct Blue 279, Acid Red 17, Acid Red 73, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 150, Acid Violet 15, Acid Violet 17, Acid Violet 24, Acid Violet 43, Acid Red 52, Acid Violet 49, Acid Violet 50, Acid Blue 15, Acid Blue 17, Acid Blue 25, Acid Blue 29, Acid Blue 40, Acid Blue 45, Acid Blue 75, Acid Blue 80, Acid Blue 83, Acid Blue 90, and Acid Blue 113, Acid Black 1, Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 3, Basic Violet 4, Basic Violet 10, Basic Violet 35, Basic Blue 3, Basic Blue 16, Basic Blue 22, Basic Blue 47, Basic Blue 66, Basic Blue 75, Basic Blue 159, and mixtures thereof. In another aspect, suitable small molecule dyes include small molecule dyes selected from the group consisting of small molecule dyes having Color Index (Society of Dyers and Colourists, Bradford, UK) numbers Acid Violet 17, Acid Violet 43, Acid Red 52, Acid Red 73, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 150, Acid Blue 25, Acid Blue 29, Acid Blue 45, Acid Blue 113, Acid Black 1, Direct Blue 1, Direct Blue 71, Direct Violet 51, and mixtures thereof. In another aspect, suitable small molecule dyes include small molecule dyes selected from the group consisting of small molecule dyes having Color Index (Society of Dyers and Colourists, Bradford, UK) numbers Acid Violet 17, Direct Blue 71, Direct Violet 51, Direct Blue 1, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 150, Acid Blue 29, Acid Blue 113, or mixtures thereof.

[0300] Suitable polymeric dyes include polymeric dyes selected from the group consisting of polymers containing conjugated chromophores (dye-polymer conjugates), polymers in which the chromophore is copolymerized into the polymer backbone, and mixtures thereof.

[0301] In another aspect, suitable polymeric dyes include polymeric dyes selected from the group consisting of polymeric dyes sold under the trade name (Milliken, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA) surface - solid colorants, dye - polymer conjugates formed from at least one reactive dye, and polymers selected from polymers comprising the following moieties: hydroxyl moieties, primary amine moieties, secondary amine moieties, thiol moieties, and mixtures thereof. In another aspect, suitable polymeric dyes include polymeric dyes selected from the following: (Milliken, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA) Violet CT, hydroxymethylcellulose (CMC) conjugated with reactive blue, reactive violet, or reactive red dyes such as C.I. (sold by Megazyme, Wicklow, Ireland under the product name AZO - CM - CELLULOSE, product code S - ACMC), alkoxylated triphenyl - methane polymeric colorants, alkoxylated thiophene polymeric colorants, and mixtures thereof.

[0302] Preferred color - adjusting dyes include the optical brighteners visible in WO 08 / 87497A1. These optical brighteners may be characterized by the following structure (I):

[0303]

[0304] wherein R1 and R2 may independently be selected from:

[0305] a) [(CH2CR'HO) x (CH2CR"HO) y H]

[0306] wherein R' is selected from H, CH3, CH2O(CH2CH2O) z H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R” is selected from H, CH2O(CH2CH2O) z H, and mixtures thereof; wherein x + y ≤ 5; wherein y ≥ 1; and wherein z = 0 to 5;

[0307] b) R1 = alkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, and R2 =

[0308] [(CH2CR'HO) x (CH2CR"HO) y H]

[0309] wherein R' is selected from H, CH3, CH2O(CH2CH2O) z H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R” is selected from H, CH2O(CH2CH2O) z H, and mixtures thereof; wherein x + y ≤ 10; wherein y ≥ 1; and wherein z = 0 to 5;

[0310] c) R1 = [CH2CH2(OR3)CH2OR4] and R2 = [CH2CH2(OR3)CH2OR4]

[0311] wherein R3 is selected from H, (CH2CH2O) z H, and mixtures thereof; and wherein z = 0 to 10;

[0312] wherein R4 is selected from (C1-C 16 ) alkyl, aryl groups, and mixtures thereof; and

[0313] d) wherein R1 and R2 can independently be selected from amino adducts of styrene oxide, glycidyl methyl ether, isobutyl glycidyl ether, isopropyl glycidyl ether, tert-butyl glycidyl ether,

[0314] 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, and glycidyl cetyl ether,

[0315] followed by the addition of 1 to 10 alkylene oxide units.

[0316] The preferred brighteners of the present disclosure can be characterized by the following structure (II):

[0317]

[0318] wherein R' is selected from H, CH3, CH2O(CH2CH2O) z H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R'' is selected from H, CH2O(CH2CH2O) z H, and mixtures thereof; wherein x + y ≤ 5; wherein y ≥ 1; and wherein z = 0 to 5.

[0319] Another preferred brightener of the present disclosure can be characterized by the following structure (III):

[0320]

[0321] This brightener is often referred to as "Violet DD". Violet DD is typically a mixture having a total of 5 EO groups. This structure is obtained by selecting the following side groups of Structure I as shown in "Part a" above:

[0322]

[0323] Other brighteners used include those described in USPN 2008 34511A1 (Unilever). The preferred reagent is "Violet 13".

[0324] Suitable dye-clay conjugates include dye-clay conjugates selected from: at least one cationic / basic dye and smectite clay, and mixtures thereof. In another aspect, suitable dye-clay conjugates include dye-clay conjugates selected from: a cationic / basic dye selected from C.I. Basic Yellow 1 to 108, C.I. Basic Orange 1 to 69, C.I. Basic Red 1 to 118, C.I. Basic Violet 1 to 51, C.I. Basic Blue 1 to 164, C.I. Basic Green 1 to 14, C.I. Basic Brown 1 to 23, C.I. Basic Black 1 to 11, and a clay selected from montmorillonite clay, lithium montmorillonite clay, saponite clay, and mixtures thereof. In another aspect, suitable dye-clay conjugates include dye-clay conjugates selected from: montmorillonite Basic Blue B7 C.I. 42595 conjugate, montmorillonite Basic Blue B9 C.I. 52015 conjugate, montmorillonite Basic Violet V3 C.I. 42555 conjugate, montmorillonite Basic Green G1 C.I. 42040 conjugate, montmorillonite Basic Red R1 C.I. 45160 conjugate, montmorillonite C.I. Basic Black 2 conjugate, lithium montmorillonite Basic Blue B7 C.I. 42595 conjugate, lithium montmorillonite Basic Blue B9 C.I. 52015 conjugate, lithium montmorillonite Basic Violet V3 C.I. 42555 conjugate, lithium montmorillonite Basic Green G1 C.I. 42040 conjugate, lithium montmorillonite Basic Red R1 C.I. 45160 conjugate, lithium montmorillonite C.I. Basic Black 2 conjugate, saponite Basic Blue B7 C.I. 42595 conjugate, saponite Basic Blue B9 C.I. 52015 conjugate, saponite Basic Violet V3 C.I. 42555 conjugate, saponite Basic Green G1 C.I. 42040 conjugate, saponite Basic Red R1 C.I. 45160 conjugate, saponite C.I. Basic Black 2 conjugate, and mixtures thereof.

[0325] Suitable pigments include pigments selected from the group consisting of: flavanthrone, anthraquinone blue, chlorinated anthraquinone blue containing 1 to 4 chlorine atoms, perylene, dichloroperylene, monobromodichloroperylene, dibromodichloroperylene, tetrabromoperylene, naphthalene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide, wherein the imide group may be unsubstituted or substituted with an alkyl group of C1 to C3 or a phenyl group or a heterocyclic group, and wherein the phenyl group and the heterocyclic group may be further substituted with substituents that do not provide water solubility, anthrapyrimidinecarboxamide, anthraquinone violet, isoanthraquinone violet, dioxazine pigments, copper phthalocyanine containing at most 2 chlorine atoms per molecule, polychlorinated copper phthalocyanine, or polybromochlorinated copper phthalocyanine containing at most 14 bromine atoms per molecule, and mixtures thereof.

[0326] In another aspect, suitable pigments include pigments selected from: ultramarine blue (C.I. Pigment Blue 29), ultramarine violet (C.I. Pigment Violet 15), and mixtures thereof.

[0327] The above fabric toners can be used in combination (any mixture of fabric toners can be used). Suitable fabric toners are available from Aldrich, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Basel, Switzerland; BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany; Dayglo Color Corporation, Mumbai, India; Organic Dyestuffs Corp., East Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Dystar, Frankfurt, Germany; Lanxess, Leverkusen, Germany; Megazyme, Wicklow, Ireland; Clariant, Muttenz, Switzerland; Avecia, Manchester, UK and / or prepared according to the examples included herein. Suitable toners are described in more detail in US 7,208,459 B2.

[0328] Enzyme

[0329] One or more enzymes may be present in the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure. Non-limiting examples of suitable enzymes include proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, glycosidases including mannanases and endoglucanases, pectinases, hemicellulases, peroxidases, xylanases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, cutinases, reductases, oxidases, phenol oxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, melaninases, glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidases, chondroitinases, laccases, and mixtures thereof.

[0330] Enzymes can be included in the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure for a variety of uses, including but not limited to removing protein-based stains, carbohydrate-based stains, or triglyceride-based stains from substrates, preventing dye transfer during fabric washing, and for fabric restoration. In one example, the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure can include proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof from any suitable source such as plant, animal, bacterial, fungal, and yeast sources. The choice of enzyme utilized is influenced by factors such as the pH-activity and / or stability optimum, thermal stability, and stability towards other additives present in the fibrous elements and / or particles such as active agents e.g. builders. In one example, the enzymes are selected from: bacterial enzymes (e.g. bacterial amylase and / or bacterial protease), fungal enzymes (e.g. fungal cellulase), and mixtures thereof.

[0331] When present in the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure, the enzyme can be present in an amount sufficient to provide a "cleaning effective amount". The term "cleaning effective amount" refers to any amount capable of producing a cleaning, soil-removing, stain-removing, whitening, deodorizing, or freshness-improving effect on substrates such as fabrics, dishes, floors, porcelain and ceramics, metal surfaces, and the like. In fact, for current commercial formulations, the typical amount is up to about 5 mg of active enzyme per gram of the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure by weight, more typically 0.01 mg to 3 mg. In other words, the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure can generally contain from about 0.001% to about 5%, and / or from about 0.01% to about 3%, and / or from about 0.01% to about 1% of the enzyme, based on the weight of the dry fibrous elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fibrous structures.

[0332] After the fibrous elements and / or particles are prepared, one or more enzymes can be applied to the fibrous elements and / or particles.

[0333] The scope of enzyme materials and the manner in which they are incorporated into the filament-forming compositions of the present disclosure, which can be synthetic detergent compositions, are also disclosed in the following documents: WO 9307263 A; WO 9307260 A; WO 8908694 A; U.S. Patent 3,553,139; 4,101,457; and U.S. Patent 4,507,219.

[0334] Enzyme stabilization system

[0335] When the enzyme is present in the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure, an enzyme stabilization system can also be included in the fibrous elements and / or particles. The enzyme can be stabilized by various techniques. Non-limiting examples of enzyme stabilization techniques are disclosed and illustrated in the following documents: U.S. Patent 3,600,319 and 3,519,570; EP 199,405, EP 200,586; and WO 9401532 A.

[0336] In one example, the enzyme stabilization system can include calcium and / or magnesium ions.

[0337] The enzyme stabilization system may be present in the fiber elements and / or particles of the present disclosure at a level of from about 0.001% to about 10%, and / or from about 0.005% to about 8%, and / or from about 0.01% to about 6% by weight based on the weight of the dry fiber elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structures. The enzyme stabilization system can be any stabilization system that is compatible with the enzyme present in the fiber elements and / or particles. Such enzyme stabilization systems can be provided automatically by other formulation actives, or added separately, for example by a formulator or the producer of the enzyme. Such enzyme stabilization systems can for example comprise calcium ions, magnesium ions, boric acid, propylene glycol, short-chain carboxylic acids, boric acid, and mixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilization issues.

[0338] Thermo - former

[0339] The fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure may comprise a thermogenic agent. The thermogenic agent is formulated to generate heat in the presence of water and / or oxygen (e.g., oxygen in air, etc.), and thereby accelerate the rate of degradation of the fibrous structure in the presence of water and / or oxygen, and / or increase the effect of one or more active substances in the fibrous element. The thermogenic agent may also alternatively or additionally be used to accelerate the rate of release of one or more active substances from the fibrous structure. The thermogenic agent is formulated to undergo an exothermic reaction upon exposure to oxygen (i.e., oxygen in air, oxygen in water, etc.) and / or water. Many different materials and combinations of materials may be used as the thermogenic agent. Non-limiting thermogenic agents that may be used in the fibrous structure include electrolyte salts (e.g., aluminum chloride, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, copper chloride, cuprous chloride, iron sulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, manganese chloride, manganese sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, etc.), diols (e.g., propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, etc.), lime (e.g., quicklime, slaked lime, etc.), metals (e.g., chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, etc.), metal oxides (e.g., aluminum oxide, iron oxide, etc.), polyalkyleneamines, polyalkyleneimines, polyvinylamines, zeolites, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, polysorbates (e.g., Tween 20, 60, 85, 80), and / or polyglycerol esters (e.g., Noobe, Drewpol, and Drewmulze from Stepan). The thermogenic agent may be formed from one or more materials. For example, magnesium sulfate may form the thermogenic agent alone. In another non-limiting example, a combination of about 2 wt% to 25 wt% activated carbon, about 30 wt% to 70 wt% iron powder, and about 1 wt% to 10 wt% metal salt may form the thermogenic agent. As can be appreciated, other or additional materials may be used alone or in combination with other materials to form the thermogenic agent. Non-limiting examples of materials that may be used to form the thermogenic agent used in the fibrous structure are disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,674,270 and 6,020,040; and U.S. Patent Publications 2008 / 0132438 and 2011 / 0301070.

[0340] Degradation promoter

[0341] The fiber elements and / or particles of the present disclosure may comprise or contain a degradation promoter for accelerating the rate of degradation of a fiber structure in the presence of water and oxygen. When used, the degradation promoter is generally designed to release a gas when exposed to water and / or oxygen, which in turn agitates the area around the fiber structure to accelerate the degradation or dissolution of the fiber structure. When used, the degradation promoter may also or alternatively be used to accelerate the rate of release of one or more active substances from the fiber structure; however, this is not necessary. When used, the degradation promoter may also or alternatively be used to increase the effect of one or more active substances in the fiber structure; however, this is not necessary. The degradation promoter may comprise one or more substances such as, but not limited to, alkali metal carbonates (e.g., sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), alkali metal bicarbonates (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, baking soda, etc.), ammonium carbonate, etc. The fiber structure may optionally comprise one or more activators that may be used to activate or increase the rate of activation of one or more degradation promoters in the fiber structure. As can be understood, one or more activators may be included in the fiber structure even when no degradation promoter is present in the fiber structure; however, this is not necessary. For example, the activator system may also comprise acidic or basic compounds that, when the fiber structure contains or does not contain a degradation promoter, may be used as supplements for one or more active substances in the fiber structure. Non-limiting examples of activators that may be included in the fiber structure when used include organic acids (e.g., hydroxy-carboxylic acids [citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, etc.], saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids [acetic acid, succinic acid, etc.], unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids [e.g., fumaric acid, etc.]). Non-limiting examples of materials that may be used to form the degradation promoters and activators used in the fiber structure are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2011 / 0301070.

[0342] Effervescent agent

[0343] The effervescent agents of the present disclosure comprise a composition capable of effervescing. As defined herein, the term "effervescent agent" refers to any product capable of generating bubbles in a liquid environment and may also be considered any product capable of releasing carbon dioxide into or out of a liquid environment. Similarly, "effervescing" refers to generating bubbles in a liquid environment or releasing carbon dioxide into or out of a liquid environment. Alternatively, "effervescing" refers to the fading or foaming of a product when it encounters a liquid or aqueous environment. In certain examples, the presence of bubbles is caused by the formation of carbon dioxide. For example, when added to a liquid such as water, a mixture of at least one acid and at least one salt initiates a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide. In one aspect, both the acid and the salt may be in anhydrous form.

[0344] Examples of acids suitable for these exemplary examples include, but are not limited to, tartaric acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, or sulfamic acid, either alone or in combination. Generally, the effervescent agents in these examples are prepared from citric acid or a combination of citric acid and tartaric acid. Examples of salts suitable for the exemplary examples include, but are not limited to, alkali metal salts. Sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate, and combinations thereof are all usable.

[0345] In other examples, the choice of specific acids and / or salts and their proportions depends at least in part on the requirements for carbon dioxide release. In some examples, the acid can be added in an amount of about 10% to about 60% by weight of the effervescent agent component, and the alkali metal salt can also be added in an amount of about 10% to 60% by weight of the effervescent agent component.

[0346] In one example, the effervescent agent component can account for about 0.1% to about 50%, and / or about 1% to about 40%, and / or about 5% to about 30% based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structure and / or dry product.

[0347] Cooling agent

[0348] The purpose of the cooling agent is to provide a perceivable sensation to the user when the fiber structure or article is being and / or has been in fluid contact. This sensation is caused by an actual temperature drop or a stimulating material that provides a sense of temperature drop.

[0349] The cooling agent is advantageously in solid form, which can include granules, flakes, fibers, agglomerates, particles, powders, spheres, powdered materials, etc., and combinations thereof. The solid can have any desired shape, such as, for example, cubes, rods, polyhedrons, spheres or hemispheres, circles or semi - circles, angled, irregular, etc. In one example, the cooling agent is provided in particulate form for ease of processing in this regard.

[0350] The amount of the cooling agent can be expressed in basis weight. Thus, the basis weight of the cooling active substance alone can be in the range of about 5 gsm to about 100 gsm, and / or about 100 gsm to about 800 gsm, and / or about 200 gsm to about 600 gsm.

[0351] In one example, when in contact with an aqueous liquid such as water, the solubility of such a cooling agent can be about 0.01 grams to about 6 grams of material / gram of water (g / g) and / or about 0.1 g / g to about 3 g / g.

[0352] The cooling agent provides a cooling effect in response to contact with a dissolved aqueous solution. In one aspect, the mechanism for achieving this is by dissolving the cooling agent in the dissolved aqueous solution. For example, the cooling agent may include particles having a significant energy difference between the dissolved state and the crystalline state such that energy in the form of heat is absorbed. As an alternative, the cooling agent may comprise particles that provide a significant energy difference sensation.

[0353] In one example, when in contact with a dissolved aqueous solution of at least about 2 °C, and / or at least about 5 °C, and / or at least about 10 °C, and / or from about 3 °C to about 15 °C, the fibrous structure and / or article may suitably provide a temperature change.

[0354] Polyols such as xylitol particles may be selected as the cooling agent. Since xylitol particles absorb heat when dissolved in an aqueous liquid, a cooling sensation occurs. Alternatively, other polyols such as sorbitol or erythritol may be advantageously selected to provide a cooling sensation. In other examples, various combinations of the above cooling agents may be used. Suitable polyols may be obtained from Roquette America, Inc. under the trade names XYLISORB (xylitol) or NEOSORB (sorbitol), which has an office in Keokuk, Iowa, U.S.A. Such polyols are typically available from the manufacturer in specific particle sizes such as 90 microns, 300 microns, 500 microns, etc. for placement in the fibrous web or article.

[0355] Other suitable cooling agents that absorb heat during dissolution include hydrates such as sodium acetate (H2O), sodium carbonate (H2O), sodium sulfate (H2O), sodium thiosulfate (H2O), and sodium phosphate (H2O); anhydrous salts such as ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium nitrate; organic compounds such as urea, etc.; or combinations thereof.

[0356] Furthermore, as described above, in some aspects, when wetted, the fibrous web or article desirably provides a surface temperature change of from about 2 °C to about 15 °C. To achieve this result, the temperature change substance and amount should be selected such that the possible total energy change is from about 1 calorie per square centimeter (cal / cm 2 ) to about 30 cal / cm 2 , which may represent a possible total energy release of from about 1 cal / cm 2 to about 20 cal / cm 2 and / or a possible total energy absorption of from about 2 cal / cm 2 to about 15 cal / cm 2 or such as about 3 cal / cm 2 or about 10 cal / cm 2 .

[0357] The temperature change agent that absorbs heat when contacting with an aqueous solution desirably has a heat of dissolution, hydration or reaction greater than about 5 cal / g and / or less than about -120 cal / g. The heat of dissolution, hydration or reaction is suitably in the range of about 30 cal / g to about 90 cal / g or about -30 cal / g to about -90 cal / g, such as in the range of about 30 cal / g to about 70 cal / g or about -30 cal / g to about -70 cal / g, such as -32 cal / g for xylitol or -60 cal / g for urea.

[0358] In one example, the cooling agent can account for about 0.1% to about 50%, and / or about 1% to about 40%, and / or about 5% to about 30% by weight based on the dry fiber element and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structure and / or dry product

[0359] Other active agents

[0360] Non-limiting examples of other active agents of the present invention (in one example) can be present as or in a coating composition that is present on the outer surface of one or more fiber elements and / or on the inner surface of the fiber structure laminae of one or more surfaces such as the multilayer sheet fiber structure and / or multilayer sheet product of the present invention and / or on the outer surface of the fiber structure laminae of the multilayer sheet fiber structure and / or multilayer sheet product of the present invention.

[0361] In one example, the article comprises a coating composition present on the outer surface of the article. In another example, the article comprises a multilayer sheet fiber structure that includes two or more fiber structure laminae, wherein the coating composition is present on the inner surface of at least one of the two or more fiber structure laminae. In another example, the article comprises a multilayer sheet fiber structure that includes two or more fiber structure laminae, wherein the coating composition is present on the outer surface of at least one of the two or more fiber structure laminae.

[0362] Non-limiting examples of such other active agents (which can be water-insoluble active agents and / or non-volatile liquid active agents) include silicones, such as silicone oils, cationic silicones, silicone gums, high-refractive-index silicones, functionalized silicones, silicone resins, and mixtures thereof; organic oils, such as hydrocarbon oils, polyolefins, fatty acid esters, metathesis unsaturated polyol esters, silane-modified oils, and mixtures thereof.

[0363] Silicone active agent

[0364] Non-limiting examples of suitable silicone active agents according to the present disclosure include volatile silicones, non-volatile silicones, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the silicone active agent is a non-volatile silicone active agent. If volatile silicone active agents are present, they generally tend to be used as solvents or carriers for non-volatile silicone active agents such as silicone gums and / or silicone resins in commercially available forms. The silicone active agent can be in the form of particles, which can contain silicone fluid active agents and can also contain other components such as silicone resins to improve the deposition efficiency of the silicone fluid and / or enhance the luster of surfaces treated therewith such as hair.

[0365] In one example, the silicone active agent is selected from siloxanes, silicone gums, amino silicones, terminal amino silicones, alkyl silicone polymers, cationic organopolysiloxanes, and mixtures thereof.

[0366] In one example, the concentration of the silicone active agent on and / or in the fiber element and / or fiber structure and / or article of the present disclosure is from about 0.5% to about 30%, and / or from about 1% to about 24%, and / or from about 2% to about 16%, and / or from about 3% to about 8%. Other non-limiting examples of suitable silicone active agents and optional suspending agents for silicone active agents are described in U.S. Reissued Patent 34,584, U.S. Patent 5,104,646, and U.S. Patent 5,106,609. The silicone active agent used in the compositions of the present disclosure can exhibit a viscosity of from about 20 centipoise ("cPs") to about 2,000,000 cPs, and / or from about 1,000 cPs to about 1,800,000 cPs, and / or from about 50,000 cPs to about 1,500,000 cPs, and / or from about 100,000 cPs to about 1,500,000 cPs as measured at 25°C.

[0367] Background information on silicones, including chapters discussing silicone fluids, silicone gums, and silicone resins and silicone preparations, can be found in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Volume 15, 2nd Edition, pages 204 - 308, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1989).

[0368] The silicone active agents of the present disclosure can include one or more silicones, including high molecular weight polyalkyl or polyaryl siloxanes and silicone gums; lower molecular weight polydimethylsiloxane fluids; and amino silicones.

[0369] High molecular weight polyalkyl or polyaryl siloxanes and silicone gums can exhibit viscosities of from about 100,000 mPa·s to about 30,000,000 mPa·s and / or from about 200,000 mPa·s to about 30,000,000 mPa·s at 25 °C, and / or weight average molecular weights of from about 100,000 to about 1,000,000 and / or from about 120,000 to about 1,000,000.

[0370] In one example, higher molecular weight silicone compounds useful herein include polyalkyl or polyaryl siloxanes having the following structure:

[0371]

[0372] wherein R 93 is independently an alkyl group or an aryl group, and p is an integer from about 1,300 to about 15,000, more preferably from about 1,600 to about 15,000. Z 8 is independently an alkyl group or an aryl group and represents a group that blocks the ends of the silicone chain. In one example, the alkyl and / or aryl groups (R 93 ) substituted on the silicone chain or the alkyl and / or aryl groups Z 8 substituted at the ends of the silicone chain can have any structure as long as the resulting silicone remains a fluid at 23 °C, is dispersible, is neither irritating, toxic nor otherwise harmful, is compatible with the other components in the composition, is chemically stable under normal use and storage conditions, and is capable of depositing onto the surface being treated therewith. In one example, suitable Z 8 groups include hydroxyl, methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and aryloxy. In one example, the two R 93 groups on the silicon atom can represent the same group or different groups. In one example, the two R 93 groups represent the same group. Non-limiting examples of suitable R 93 groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, phenyl, methylphenyl and phenylmethyl. In one example, such silicone compounds are referred to as polydimethylsiloxane, polydiethylsiloxane and / or polymethylphenylsiloxane. In one example, the silicone compound is polydimethylsiloxane, which is also known as dimethyl silicone oil. Commercially available silicone compounds useful herein include, for example, those available from General Electric Company under their TSF451 series, and those available from Dow Corning under their Dow Corning SH200 series.

[0373] Silicone compounds useful herein may also include silicone gum stocks. As used herein, the term "silicone gum stock" refers to a polyorganosiloxane material having a viscosity of greater than or equal to 1,000,000 mPa·s at 25°C. It should be recognized that the silicone gums described herein may also have some overlap with the higher molecular weight silicone compounds disclosed above. This overlap is not intended to limit either of these materials. "Silicone gums" will generally have a weight average molecular weight of more than about 165,000, typically between about 165,000 and about 1,000,000. Non-limiting examples of such silicone gums include polydimethylsiloxane, poly(dimethylsiloxane-methylvinylsiloxane) copolymer, poly(dimethylsiloxane-diphenylsiloxane-methylvinylsiloxane) copolymer, and mixtures thereof. Commercially available silicone gum stocks useful herein include, for example, TSE200A and CF330M available from General Electric Company.

[0374] In one example, the lower molecular weight silicone has a viscosity at 25°C of from about 1 mPa·s to about 10,000 mPa·s and / or from about 5 mPa·s to about 5,000 mPa·s, and / or a weight average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 65,000 and / or from about 800 to about 50,000.

[0375] In one example, lower molecular weight silicone compounds useful herein include polyalkyl or polyaryl siloxanes having the following structure:

[0376]

[0377] wherein R 93 is independently an alkyl group or an aryl group, and p is an integer from about 7 to about 850, more preferably from about 7 to about 665. Z 8 is independently an alkyl group or an aryl group and represents a group that blocks the ends of the silicone chain. The alkyl or aryl groups (R 93 ) substituted on the silicone chain or the alkyl or aryl groups Z 8 substituted at the ends of the silicone chain may be present. In one example, the alkyl and / or aryl groups (R 93 ) substituted on the silicone chain or the alkyl and / or aryl groups Z 8 substituted at the ends of the silicone chain may have any structure as long as the resulting silicone remains a fluid at 23°C, is dispersible, is neither irritating, toxic nor otherwise harmful, is compatible with the other components in the composition, is chemically stable under normal use and storage conditions, and is capable of depositing on the surface being treated therewith. In one example, suitable Z 8The groups include hydroxyl, methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and aryloxy. In one example, the two R groups on the silicon atom 93 groups can represent the same group or different groups. In one example, the two R 93 groups represent the same group. Non-limiting examples of suitable R 93 groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, phenyl, methylphenyl and phenylmethyl. In one example, such silicone compounds are referred to as polydimethylsiloxane, polydiethylsiloxane and / or polymethylphenylsiloxane. In one example, the silicone compound is polydimethylsiloxane, which is also known as dimethyl silicone oil. Commercially available silicone compounds that can be used herein include, for example, those obtained from General Electric Company in their TSF451 series, and those obtained from Dow Corning in their Dow Corning SH200 series.

[0378] In one example, the silicone active agents of the present disclosure include one or more amino silicones. As provided herein, amino silicones are silicones containing at least one primary amine, secondary amine, tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium group. In one example, the amino silicones of the present disclosure may have less than about 0.5%, and / or less than about 0.2%, and / or less than about 0.1% nitrogen by weight of the amino silicone. In one example, the amino silicones of the present disclosure have at least one silicone block having more than 200 siloxane units.

[0379] In one example, the amino silicones of the present disclosure exhibit a viscosity of about 1,000 centipoise ("cPs") to about 100,000 cPs, and / or about 2,000 cPs to about 50,000 cPs, and / or about 4,000 cPs to about 40,000 cPs, and / or about 6,000 cPs to about 30,000 cPs at 25°C.

[0380] In one example, the amino silicones of the present disclosure are water-soluble. "Water-insoluble amino silicone" means that the amino silicone has a solubility of 10 g or less / 100 g of water, and / or 5 g or less / 100 g of water, and / or 1 g or less / 100 g of water at 25°C. In one example, "water-insoluble amino silicone" means that the amino silicone is substantially free of copolymer polyol groups. If copolymer polyol groups are present, they are present at a level of less than 10 wt%, and / or less than 5 wt%, and / or less than 1 wt%, and / or less than 0.1 wt% by weight of the amino silicone.

[0381] In one example, when present, the aminoorganosilicon of the present disclosure may be present at a level of from about 0.5 wt% to about 30 wt%, and / or from about 1.0 wt% to about 24 wt%, and / or from about 2.0 wt% to about 16 wt%, and / or from about 3.0 wt% to about 8 wt%.

[0382] Non-limiting examples of suitable aminoorganosilicons of the present disclosure include those aminoorganosilicons conforming to the general formula (I):

[0383] (R 1 ) a G 3-a -Si-(-OSiG2) n -(-OSiG b (R 1 ) 2-b ) m -O-SiG 3-a (R 1 ) a

[0384] (I)

[0385] wherein G is hydrogen, phenyl, hydroxyl or a C1-C8 alkyl group such as methyl; a is 0 or an integer having a value of 1 to 3 such as 1; b is 0, 1 or 2 such as 1; where when a is 0, b is not 2; n is a number from 0 to 1,999; m is an integer from 0 to 1,999; the sum of n and m is a number from 1 to 2,000; a and m are not both 0; R 1 is a monovalent group conforming to the general formula CqHL, where q is an integer having a value of 2 to 8, and L is selected from the following groups: -N(R 2q )CH2-CH2-N(R 2 )2; -N(R 2 )2; -N(R 2 ) 2 ) + 3A ˉ ; -N(R 2 )CH2-CH2-NR 2 H2A ˉ ; wherein R 2 is hydrogen, phenyl, benzyl or a saturated hydrocarbon group such as an alkyl group of about C1 to about C 20 ; A ˉ is a halide ion.

[0386] In one example, the amino silicone corresponds to formula (I), where m = 0, a = 1, q = 3, G = methyl, n is from about 1500 to about 1700, such as about 1600; and L is -N(CH3)2 or -NH2, such as -NH2. Other amino silicones may include those corresponding to formula (I), where m = 0, a = 1, q = 3, G = methyl, n is from about 400 to about 600, such as about 500; and L is -N(CH3)2 or -NH2, such as -NH2. These amino silicones may also be referred to as terminal amino silicones because one or both ends of the silicone chain are capped with nitrogen-containing groups.

[0387] An exemplary amino silicone conforming to formula (I) is a polymer called "trimethyl-silylamino polydimethylsiloxane", which is shown as formula (II) below:

[0388]

[0389] where n is a number from 1 to 1,999, and m is a number from 1 to 1,999.

[0390] The silicone may also be a terminal amino silicone. As defined herein, "terminal amino silicone" refers to a silicone polymer containing one or more amino groups at one or both ends of the silicone backbone. In one example, the active agent of the present disclosure, such as a coating composition containing the active agent of the present disclosure (which may be a hydrophobic coating composition), may be free or substantially free of any silicone compound other than the terminal amino silicone.

[0391] In one example, the amino group at at least one end of the silicone backbone of the terminal amino silicone is selected from: primary amine, secondary amine, and tertiary amine. The terminal amino silicone may conform to formula III:

[0392] (R1) a G 3-a -Si-(-OSiG2) n -O-SiG 3-a (R1) a III

[0393] where G is hydrogen, phenyl, hydroxyl, or C1-C8 alkyl, such as methyl; a is an integer having a value of 1 to 3, or a value of 1; b is 0, 1, or 2, or a value of 1; n is a number from 0 to 1,999; R1 is a monovalent group conforming to the general formula CqH 2q L, where q is an integer having a value of 2 to 8, and L is selected from the following groups: -N(R2)CH2-CH2-N(R2)2; -N(R2)2; -N(R2)3A ˉ ; -N(R2)CH2-CH2-NR2H2A ˉ; wherein R2 is hydrogen, phenyl, benzyl or a saturated hydrocarbon group; A ˉ is a halide ion. In one aspect, R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0394] In one example, a suitable terminal amino organosilicon corresponds to Formula III, where a = 1, q = 3, G = methyl, n is from about 1000 to about 2500 and / or from about 1500 to about 1700; and L is –N(CH3)2. In another example, a suitable terminal amino organosilicon corresponds to Chemical Formula III, where a = 0, G = methyl, n is from about 100 to about 1500 and / or from about 200 to about 1000, and L is selected from the following groups: -N(R2)CH2-CH2-N(R2)2; -N(R2)2; -N(R2)3A ˉ ; -N(R2)CH2-CH2-NR2H2A ˉ , such as –NH2; wherein R2 is hydrogen, phenyl, benzyl or a saturated hydrocarbon group; A ˉ is a halide ion. In one example, R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and / or 2 to 18 carbon atoms, and / or 4 to 12 carbon atoms. In another example, the terminal amino organosilicon is selected from diaminomethylpolydimethylsiloxane, diaminoethylpolydimethylsiloxane, diaminopropylpolydimethylsiloxane, diaminobutylpolydimethylsiloxane, and mixtures thereof.

[0395] Non-limiting examples of suitable terminal amino organosilicons include aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (e.g., having a viscosity of 4,000 cSt to 6,000 cSt (4 Pa·s to 6 Pa·s); commercially available from Gelest, Inc. under the trade name DMS-A35), trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (e.g., having a viscosity of 5,000 cSt (5 Pa·s); commercially available from Gelest, Inc. under the trade name DMS-T35), trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (e.g., having a viscosity of 1,000 cSt (1 Pa·s); commercially available from Gelest, Inc. under the trade name DMS-T31), aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (e.g., having a viscosity of 900 cSt to 1,100 cSt (0.9 Pa·s to 1.1 Pa·s); commercially available from Gelest, Inc. under the trade name DMS-A31), trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (e.g., having a viscosity of 50 cSt (0.05 Pa·s); commercially available from Gelest, Inc. under the trade name DMS-T15), aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (e.g., having a viscosity of 50 cSt to 60 cSt (0.05 Pa·s to 0.06 Pa·s); commercially available from Gelest, Inc. under the trade name DMS-A15), diaminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (e.g., having a viscosity of 10,220 cSt (10.2 Pa·s); purchased from Momentive Performance Materials Inc.), and mixtures thereof.

[0396] Non-limiting examples of suitable alkylsiloxane polymers are described in US 2011 / 0243874 A1, US 2011 / 0243875 A1, US 2011 / 0240065 A1, US 2011 / 0243878 A1, US 2011 / 0243871 A1, and US 2011 / 0243876 A1.

[0397] Non-limiting examples of suitable cationic organopolysiloxanes are described in US 2014 / 0030206 A1, WO 2014 / 018985 A1, WO 2014 / 018986 A1, WO 2014 / 018987 A1, WO 2014 / 018988 A1, and WO 2014 / 018989 A1.

[0398] Organic oil

[0399] Non-limiting examples of the organic oils of the present disclosure include hydrocarbon oils, polyolefins, fatty acid esters, metathesis unsaturated polyol esters, silane-modified oils, and mixtures thereof.

[0400] In one example, the concentration of the organic oil surfactant on and / or in the fiber element and / or fiber structure and / or article of the present disclosure can be from about 0.5% to about 20%, and / or from about 0.05% to about 10%, and / or from about 0.05% to about 3%, and / or from about 0.08% to about 1.5%, and / or from about 0.1% to about 1%.

[0401] In one example, the organic oil surfactant has an average carbon chain length greater than 20, and / or greater than 30, and / or greater than 40.

[0402] Non-limiting examples of hydrocarbon oils include hydrocarbon oils having at least about 10 carbon atoms, such as cyclic hydrocarbons, straight-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (saturated or unsaturated), and branched-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (saturated or unsaturated), including their polymers and mixtures. In one example, the hydrocarbon oil is a straight-chain hydrocarbon oil having a carbon chain length of about C 12 to about C 19 In another example, the hydrocarbon oil is a branched-chain hydrocarbon oil, including hydrocarbon polymers having a carbon chain length greater than 19 carbon atoms.

[0403] Non-limiting examples of suitable hydrocarbon oils include paraffin oil, mineral oil, saturated and unsaturated dodecane, saturated and unsaturated tridecane, saturated and unsaturated tetradecane, saturated and unsaturated pentadecane, saturated and unsaturated hexadecane, polybutene, polyisobutene, polydecene, and mixtures thereof. Also suitable are branched isomers of these compounds and hydrocarbons with longer chain lengths, examples of which include highly branched saturated or unsaturated alkanes, such as per-methyl-substituted isomers, for example per-methyl-substituted isomers of hexadecane and eicosane, such as 2,2,4,4,6,6,8,8-dimethyl-10-methylundecane and 2,2,4,4,6,6-dimethyl-8-methylnonane available from Permethyl Corporation. Hydrocarbon polymers such as polybutene and polydecene are also suitable as organic oil surfactants. In one example, the hydrocarbon polymer is polybutene, such as a copolymer of isobutene and butene. Such materials commercially available are L-14 polybutene, from Amoco Chemical Corporation.

[0404] Non-limiting examples of suitable polyolefins include liquid polyolefins, such as liquid polyalpha-olefins, for example hydrogenated liquid polyalpha-olefins. In one example, the liquid polyolefin of the present disclosure can be from about C4 to about C 14 and / or from about C6 to about C 12It is prepared by the polymerization of olefin monomers. Non-limiting examples of olefin monomers that can be used to prepare liquid polyolefins include ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, branched isomers such as 4-methyl-1-pentene, and mixtures thereof. Also suitable for preparing liquid polyolefins are olefin-containing refinery feeds and / or effluents. In one example, the liquid polyolefin is a liquid poly-α-olefin, such as a hydrogenated liquid poly-α-olefin, such as 1-hexene to 1-hexadecene, 1-octene to 1-tetradecene, and mixtures thereof.

[0405] Non-limiting examples of suitable fatty acid esters of the present disclosure include fatty acid esters having at least 10 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of such fatty acid esters include esters having a hydrocarbon chain derived from a fatty acid or a fatty alcohol (e.g., monoesters, polyol esters, and dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic esters). In one example, the hydrocarbon group of the fatty acid ester may include or have other compatible functional groups covalently bonded thereto, such as amide and alkoxy moieties (e.g., ethoxy or ether bonds, etc.).

[0406] Non-limiting examples of fatty acid esters of the present disclosure include isopropyl isostearate, hexyl laurate, isohexyl laurate, isohexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, decyl oleate, isodecyl oleate, cetyl stearate, decyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, dihexyl decyl adipate, lauryl lactate, myristyl lactate, cetyl lactate, oleyl stearate, oleyl oleate, oleyl myristate, lauryl acetate, cetyl propionate, oleyl adipate, and mixtures thereof.

[0407] In one example, the fatty acid esters of the present disclosure include monocarboxylic acid esters having the general formula R'COOR, where R' and R are independently alkyl or alkenyl groups, and the total number of carbon atoms in R' and R is at least 10 and / or at least 22.

[0408] In another example, the fatty acid esters of the present disclosure include di- and tri-alkyl and alkenyl esters of carboxylic acids, such as esters of C4 to C8 dicarboxylic acids (e.g., C1 to C 22 esters, preferably C1 to C6 esters of succinic acid, glutaric acid, and adipic acid). Non-limiting examples of such di- and tri-alkyl and alkenyl esters of carboxylic acids include isocetyl stearoyl stearate, diisopropyl adipate, tristearyl citrate, and mixtures thereof.

[0409] In another example, the fatty acid esters of the present disclosure include polyol esters. Non-limiting examples of such polyol esters include alkylene glycol esters such as ethylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, diethylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, propylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polypropylene glycol monooleate, polypropylene glycol 2000 monostearate, ethoxylated propylene glycol monostearate, glycerol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polyglycerol polyfatty acid esters, ethoxylated glycerol monostearate, 1,3-butanediol monostearate, 1,3-butanediol distearate, polyoxyethylene polyol fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, and mixtures thereof.

[0410] In another example, the fatty acid esters of the present disclosure include glycerol esters such as monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides, for example diglycerides and triglycerides such as triglycerides. Non-limiting examples of suitable glycerol esters include mono-, di- and triesters of glycerol and long-chain carboxylic acids such as C 10 to C 22 carboxylic acids. A variety of such glycerol esters can be obtained from vegetable and animal fats and oils such as castor oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, olive oil, cod liver oil, almond oil, avocado oil, palm oil, sesame oil, lanolin and soybean oil. Synthetic oils include but are not limited to triolein and tristearin, dilaurin.

[0411] In another example, suitable fatty acid esters of the present disclosure may include water-insoluble synthetic fatty acid esters. Non-limiting examples of such synthetic fatty acid esters correspond to the general formula (IX):

[0412]

[0413] wherein R 1 is independently a C7 to C9 alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl group such as a saturated alkyl group, for example a saturated straight-chain alkyl group; n is a positive integer having a value of 2 to 4, such as 3; and Y is an alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxy or carboxy-substituted alkyl or alkenyl having from about 2 to about 20 and / or from about 3 to 14 carbon atoms. In one example, such synthetic fatty acid esters conform to the general formula (X):

[0414]

[0415] wherein R 2 is independently a C8 to C 10 alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl group; such as a saturated alkyl group, for example a saturated straight-chain alkyl group; n and Y are as defined in the general formula (IX) above.

[0416] Non-limiting examples of suitable synthetic fatty acid esters of the present disclosure include: P-43 (C8-C 10 triester of trimethylolpropane), MCP-684 (tetraester of 3,3-diethanol-1,5-pentanediol), MCP121 (C8-C 10 diester of adipic acid), all of which are commercially available from Mobil Chemical Company.

[0417] Non-limiting examples of metathesis unsaturated polyol esters and their raw materials are listed in US 2009 / 0220443A1 and US2016 / 0244915 A1. A metathesis unsaturated polyol ester refers to a product obtained when one or more unsaturated polyol ester components are subjected to a metathesis reaction. Metathesis is a catalytic reaction involving the exchange of alkylene units via the formation and cleavage of carbon-carbon double bonds between compounds containing one or more double bonds (i.e., olefinic compounds). Metathesis can occur between two identical molecules (commonly referred to as self-metathesis), and / or it can occur between two different molecules (commonly referred to as cross-metathesis).

[0418] Non-limiting examples of suitable silane-modified oils include silane-modified oils having a hydrocarbon chain, which are selected from saturated oils, unsaturated oils, and mixtures thereof; and hydrolyzable silyl groups covalently bonded to the hydrocarbon chain. Non-limiting examples of suitable silane-modified oils are described in US2014 / 0335032A1.

[0419] Release of active agent

[0420] When the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure are exposed to a triggering condition, one or more active agents can be released from the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure. In one example, when the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure or a part thereof loses its characteristics, in other words, loses its physical structure, one or more active agents can be released from the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure or a part thereof. For example, when the filament-forming material dissolves, melts, or undergoes some other deformation step such that its structure is lost, the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure lose their physical structure. In one example, when the morphology of the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure changes, one or more active agents are released from the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure.

[0421] In another example, when the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure or a portion thereof changes its characteristics, in other words, changes its physical structure without losing its physical structure, one or more active agents can be released from the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure or a portion thereof. For example, when the filament-forming material swells, shrinks, elongates, and / or shortens, but retains its filament-forming properties, the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure changes its physical structure.

[0422] In another example, without a change in its morphology (without losing or changing its physical structure), one or more active agents can be released from the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure.

[0423] In one example, when the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure is exposed to a triggering condition that causes the release of the active agent, such as by causing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to lose or change its characteristics as described above, the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure can release the active agent. Non-limiting examples of triggering conditions include exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to a solvent (polar solvents such as alcohols and / or water, and / or non-polar solvents), which can be continuous depending on whether the filament-forming material contains polar-solvent-soluble materials and / or non-polar-solvent-soluble materials; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to heat, such as exposing it to a temperature greater than 75°F, and / or greater than 100°F, and / or greater than 150°F, and / or greater than 200°F, and / or greater than 212°F; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to cold, such as exposing it to a temperature less than 40°F, and / or less than 32°F, and / or less than 0°F; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to a force, such as a tensile force applied by a consumer using the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure; and / or exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to a chemical reaction; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to conditions that cause a phase change; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to a pH change and / or a pressure change and / or a temperature change; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to one or more chemicals that cause the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to release one or more of its active agents; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to ultrasound; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to light and / or certain wavelengths; exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to different ionic strengths; and / or exposing the fiber element and / or the particle and / or the fiber structure to an active agent released from another fiber element and / or particle and / or fiber structure.

[0424] In one example, when a fibrous structure product comprising fibrous elements and / or particles is subjected to a triggering step selected from the following, one or more active agents can be released from the fibrous elements and / or particles of the present disclosure: pretreating a stain on a fabric article with the fibrous structure product; forming a washing liquid by contacting the fibrous structure product with water; tumbling the fibrous structure product in a dryer; heating the fibrous structure product in a dryer; and combinations thereof.

[0425] Filament - forming composition

[0426] The fibrous elements of the present disclosure are made from a filament-forming composition. The filament-forming composition is a polar solvent-based composition. In one example, the filament-forming composition is an aqueous composition comprising one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents.

[0427] As measured by the shear viscosity test method described herein, the filament-forming composition of the present disclosure can have a shear viscosity of about 1 Pascal-second to about 25 Pascal-seconds, and / or about 2 Pascal-seconds to about 20 Pascal-seconds, and / or about 3 Pascal-seconds to about 10 Pascal-seconds, as measured at a shear rate of 3,000 sec -1 and a processing temperature of (50 °C to 100 °C).

[0428] When preparing the fibrous elements from the filament-forming composition, the filament-forming composition can be processed at a temperature of about 50 °C to about 100 °C, and / or about 65 °C to about 95 °C, and / or about 70 °C to about 90 °C.

[0429] In one example, the filament-forming composition can comprise at least 20%, and / or at least 30%, and / or at least 40%, and / or at least 45%, and / or at least 50% to about 90%, and / or to about 85%, and / or to about 80%, and / or to about 75% by weight of one or more filament-forming materials, one or more active agents, and mixtures thereof. The filament-forming composition can comprise about 10 wt% to about 80 wt% of a polar solvent such as water.

[0430] In one example, the non-volatile components of the filament-forming composition can account for about 20 wt%, and / or 30 wt%, and / or 40 wt%, and / or 45 wt%, and / or 50 wt% to about 75 wt%, and / or 80 wt%, and / or 85 wt%, and / or 90 wt% based on the total weight of the filament-forming composition. The non-volatile components can consist of filament-forming materials such as backbone polymers, active agents, and combinations thereof. The volatile components of the filament-forming composition will account for the remaining percentage and are in the range of 10 wt% to 80 wt% based on the total weight of the filament-forming composition.

[0431] In the spinning process of a fiber element, it needs to have initial stability when leaving the spinning die. The capillary number is used to characterize this initial stability criterion. Under the conditions of the die, the capillary number should be at least 1, and / or at least 3, and / or at least 4, and / or at least 5.

[0432] In one example, the filament-forming composition exhibits a capillary number of at least 1 to about 50, and / or at least 3 to about 50, and / or at least 5 to about 30, such that the filament-forming material can be effectively polymer processed into a fiber element.

[0433] As used herein, "polymer processing" refers to any spinning operation and / or spinning method by which a fiber element comprising a processed filament-forming material is formed from a filament-forming composition. The spinning operation and / or process can include spunbonding, meltblowing, electrospinning, rotary spinning, continuous filament preparation, and / or tow fiber preparation operations / processes. As used herein, "processed filament-forming material" refers to any filament-forming material that has undergone a melt processing operation and a subsequent polymer processing operation to produce a fiber element.

[0434] The capillary number is a dimensionless number used to characterize the likelihood of such droplet breakup. A larger capillary number indicates greater stability as the fluid exits the die. The capillary number is defined as follows:

[0435]

[0436] V is the fluid velocity at the die exit (in units of length per time),

[0437] η is the fluid viscosity under the conditions of the die (in units of mass per length * time), and σ is the surface tension of the fluid (in units of mass per time 2 ). When the velocity, viscosity, and surface tension are expressed in a consistent set of units, the resulting capillary number will have no units of its own; the individual units cancel out.

[0438] The capillary number is defined for the conditions at the exit of the die. The fluid velocity is the average velocity of the fluid flowing through the die opening. The average velocity is defined as follows:

[0439]

[0440] Vol′ = volumetric flow rate (in units of length 3 per time),

[0441] Area = cross-sectional area of the die exit (in units of length 2 ).

[0442] When the die opening is a circular hole, the fluid velocity can be defined as follows

[0443]

[0444] R is the radius of the circular hole (in units of length).

[0445] The fluid viscosity will depend on temperature and may depend on the shear rate. The definition of a shear-thinning fluid includes a dependence on the shear rate. The surface tension will depend on the fluid composition and the fluid temperature.

[0446] In one example, the filament-forming composition can include one or more release agents and / or lubricants. Non-limiting examples of suitable release agents and / or lubricants include fatty acids, fatty acid salts, fatty alcohols, fatty acid esters, sulfonated fatty acid esters, fatty acid amines and fatty acid amides, silicones, amino silicones, fluoropolymers, and mixtures thereof.

[0447] In one example, the filament-forming composition can include one or more anti-blocking agents and / or anti-sticking agents. Non-limiting examples of suitable anti-blocking agents and / or anti-sticking agents include starch, modified starch, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, cross-linked cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, metal oxides, calcium carbonate, talc, and mica.

[0448] The active agents of the present disclosure can be added to the filament-forming composition before and / or during the formation of the fiber element, and / or can be added to the fiber element after the formation of the fiber element. For example, after forming a fiber element and / or a fiber structure according to the present disclosure, a fragrance active agent can be applied to the fiber element and / or the fiber structure including the fiber element. In another example, after forming a fiber element and / or a fiber structure according to the present disclosure, an enzyme active agent can be applied to the fiber element and / or the fiber structure including the fiber element. In another example, after forming a fiber element and / or a fiber structure according to the present disclosure, one or more particles can be applied to the fiber element and / or the fiber structure including the fiber element, and the particles may not be suitable for passing through the spinning process for preparing the fiber element.

[0449] Extension aid

[0450] In one example, the fiber element includes an extension aid. Non-limiting examples of the extension aid can include polymers, other extension aids, and combinations thereof.

[0451] In one example, the draw aid has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 500,000 Da. In another example, the weight average molecular weight of the draw aid is from about 500,000 to about 25,000,000, in another example from about 800,000 to about 22,000,000, in another example from about 1,000,000 to about 20,000,000, and in another example from about 2,000,000 to about 15,000,000. High molecular weight draw aids are preferred in some examples due to their ability to increase the draw melt viscosity and reduce melt fracture.

[0452] When used in the meltblowing process, an effective amount of the draw aid is added to the compositions of the present disclosure to visually reduce the melt fracture and capillary breakup of the fibers during the spinning process, enabling the melt spinning of substantially continuous fibers having a relatively consistent diameter. Regardless of the method used to prepare the fiber elements and / or particles, when used, in one example, the draw aid may be present in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 10% based on the weight of the dry fiber elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structures, and in another example in an amount of from about 0.005% to about 5% based on the weight of the dry fiber elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structures, in another example in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 1% based on the weight of the dry fiber elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structures, and in another example in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 0.5% based on the weight of the dry fiber elements and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structures.

[0453] Non-limiting examples of polymers that can be used as draw aids can include alginates, carrageenans, pectins, chitin, guar gums, xanthan gums, agar, gum arabic, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, locust bean gum, alkyl celluloses, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, carboxyalkyl celluloses, and mixtures thereof.

[0454] Non-limiting examples of other drawing aids can include modified and unmodified polyacrylamides, polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethyleneimines, polyamides, polyalkylene oxides including polyethylene oxides, polypropylene oxides, ethylene propylene oxide copolymers, and mixtures thereof.

[0455] Method for preparing fiber element

[0456] The fiber elements of the present disclosure can be prepared by any suitable method. Non-limiting examples of suitable methods for preparing fiber elements are described below.

[0457] As Figure 14 and Figure 15As shown, the fiber element of the present disclosure can be prepared as follows. The fiber element can be formed using a small-scale device, a schematic diagram of which is shown in Figure 14 and Figure 15 . The pressurized tank 39 suitable for batch operation is filled with a suitable filament-forming composition according to the present disclosure. A pump 40 (such as , model PEP II, with a capacity of 5.0 cubic centimeters per revolution (cc / rev), manufactured by the Zenith Pumps division of Parker Hannifin Corporation, Sanford, N.C., USA) can be used to facilitate the transfer of the filament-forming composition to the spinning die 42 via the tube 41. The flow rate of the filament-forming composition from the pressurized tank 39 to the spinning die 42 can be controlled by adjusting the revolutions per minute (rpm) of the pump 40. The tube 41 is used to connect the pressurized tank 39, the pump 40, and the spinning die 42.

[0458] As Figure 15 shown, the spinning die 42 has multiple rows of annular extrusion nozzles (fiber element forming holes 44) placed at an interval P of approximately 1.524 millimeters (about 0.060 inches) from each other. The nozzle has a separate inner diameter of approximately 0.305 millimeters (about 0.012 inches) and a separate outer diameter of approximately 0.813 millimeters (about 0.032 inches). Each individual nozzle is surrounded by an annular and divergent trumpet-shaped hole (concentric attenuation fluid hole 48) to provide attenuation air to each individual melt capillary 46. The filament-forming composition extruded through the nozzle is surrounded and attenuated by a generally cylindrical wet air flow provided through the holes.

[0459] In one example, as Figure 14 and Figure 15 shown, the method 47 for preparing the fiber element 10 according to the present disclosure includes the following steps:

[0460] a. Providing a filament-forming composition comprising one or more filament-forming materials and optionally one or more active agents; and

[0461] b. Form a filament-forming composition into one or more fiber elements, such as filaments 10, via a spinning die 42. The fiber elements comprise one or more filament-forming materials and optionally one or more active agents. When exposed to the intended use conditions, one or more active agents can be released from the fiber elements. When active agents are present, the total level of one or more filament-forming materials present in the fiber elements, such as filaments 10, can be less than 80%, and / or less than 70%, and / or less than 65%, and / or 50% or less, based on the weight of the dry fiber elements and / or dry fiber structure. And when present in the fiber elements, the total level of one or more active agents can be greater than 20%, and / or greater than 35%, and / or 50% or greater, 65%

[0462] or greater, and / or 80% or greater.

[0463] As Figure 15 shown, the spinning die 42 can include a plurality of fiber element forming holes 44. The forming holes include a melt capillary 46 surrounded by concentric attenuating fluid holes 48. A fluid, such as air, passes through the concentric attenuating fluid holes to assist in attenuating the filament-forming composition into fiber elements, such as filaments 10, when the filament-forming composition exits the fiber element forming holes 44.

[0464] Attenuating air can be provided by heating compressed air from a source with a resistance heater (e.g., a heater manufactured by the Chromalox division of Emerson Electric, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA). An appropriate amount of air flow is added to saturate or nearly saturate the hot air under electrically heated, temperature-controlled delivery duct conditions. Condensate is removed in an electrically heated, temperature-controlled separator.

[0465] The nascent fiber elements are dried by a stream of dry air having a temperature of about 149 °C (about 300 °F) to about 315 °C (about 600 °F), which is supplied by a resistance heater (not shown) through a drying nozzle and discharged at an angle of about 90° relative to the general orientation of the nascent fiber elements being extruded. The dried nascent fiber elements can be collected on a collection device, such as a movable porous belt or a patterned collection belt. A vacuum source can be added directly below the forming zone to assist in collecting the fibers.

[0466] In one example, when forming the fiber elements 10, any volatile solvents, such as water, present in the filament-forming composition are removed, such as by drying, during the spinning step. In one example, greater than 30%, and / or greater than 40%, and / or greater than 50% by weight of the volatile solvents, such as water, in the filament-forming composition are removed during the spinning step, e.g., by drying the resulting fiber elements.

[0467] The filament-forming composition may comprise any suitable total level of filament-forming material and any suitable level of active agent, provided that the fiber element made from the filament-forming composition comprises a filament-forming material at a total level of about 5% to 50% or less of the fiber element based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structure, and an active agent at a total level of 50% to about 95% of the fiber element based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or dry particles and / or dry fiber structure.

[0468] In one example, the filament-forming material may comprise any suitable total level of filament-forming material and any suitable level of active agent, provided that the fiber element made from the filament-forming composition comprises a filament-forming material at a total level of about 5% to 50% or less of the fiber element and / or particles based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or dry particles and / or based on the weight of the dry fiber structure, and an active agent at a total level of 50% to about 95% of the fiber element and / or particles based on the weight of the dry fiber element and / or dry particles and / or based on the weight of the dry fiber structure, wherein the weight ratio of the filament-forming material to the total level of the active agent is 1 or less.

[0469] In one example, the filament-forming composition comprises about 1%, and / or about 5%, and / or about 10% to about 50%, and / or to about 40%, and / or to about 30%, and / or to about 20% of the filament-forming material by weight of the filament-forming composition; about 1%, and / or about 5%, and / or about 10% to about 50%, and / or to about 40%, and / or to about 30%, and / or to about 20% of the active agent by weight of the filament-forming composition; and about 20%, and / or about 25%, and / or about 30%, and / or about 40%, and / or to about 80%, and / or to about 70%, and / or to about 60%, and / or to about 50% of a volatile solvent such as water by weight of the filament-forming composition. The filament-forming composition may comprise trace amounts of other active agents, such as a plasticizer, a pH regulator, and other active agents at less than 10%, and / or less than 5%, and / or less than 3%, and / or less than 1% by weight of the filament-forming composition.

[0470] The filament-forming composition is spun into one or more fiber elements by any suitable spinning method such as meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning, and / or rotary spinning. In one example, the filament-forming composition is meltblown into a plurality of fiber elements and / or particles. For example, the filament-forming composition may be pumped from a sump into a meltblown spinneret. When discharging through one or more filament-forming holes in the spinneret, the filament-forming composition is attenuated with air to produce one or more fiber elements and / or particles. The fiber elements and / or particles may then be dried to remove any residual solvent used for spinning, such as water.

[0471] The fiber elements and / or particles of the present disclosure can be collected on a belt such as a patterned belt to form a fibrous structure comprising the fiber elements and / or particles.

[0472] Method for preparing fiber structure

[0473] As Figure 16 shown, a fibrous structure of the present disclosure, such as a fibrous structure layer or sheet 22, can be made by spinning a filament-forming composition from a spinneret 42 (as Figure 14 and Figure 15 described), to form a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10, and then optionally associating one or more particles 26 provided by a particle source 50 such as a sieve or an air-laid forming head. The particles 26 can be dispersed within the fiber elements such as filaments 10. A mixture of the particles 26 and the fiber elements such as filaments 10 can be collected on a collection belt 52 such as a patterned collection belt, which imparts a texture such as a three-dimensional texture to at least one surface of the fibrous structure layer or sheet 22.

[0474] Figure 17 An example of a method for preparing an article 20 according to Figure 5 is shown. The method includes the step of forming a first fibrous layer 22 of a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10 such that pits 28 are formed in the surface of the first fibrous structure layer 22. One or more particles 26 are deposited from the particle source 50 into the pits 28. Then a second fibrous structure layer 24 comprising a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10 made by the spinneret 42 is formed on the surface of the first fibrous structure layer 22 such that the particles 26 are embedded in the pits 28.

[0475] Figure 18 Another example of a method for preparing an article 20 according to Figure 4 is shown. The method includes the step of forming a first fibrous structure layer 22 of a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10. One or more particles 26 are deposited from the particle source 50 onto the surface of the first fibrous structure layer 22. Then a second fibrous structure layer 24 comprising a plurality of fiber elements such as filaments 10 made by the spinneret 42 is formed on top of the particles 26 such that the particles 26 are positioned between the first fibrous structure layer 22 and the second fibrous structure layer 24.

[0476] As described above, a dry precursor fibrous structure such as filaments can be collected on a molding member. Due to its inherent construction, the construction of the molding member can provide breathable regions. The filaments used to construct the molding member will be impermeable, while the void regions between the filaments will be permeable. Additionally, a pattern can be applied to the molding member to provide additional impermeable regions that can be substantially continuous, discontinuous, or semi-continuous. A vacuum used at the laying point helps the fibers to flex into the existing pattern. An example of one of these molding members is shown inFigure 19 in.

[0477] In addition to the techniques described herein for forming regions having different properties (e.g., average density) within a fibrous structure, other techniques may be applied to provide suitable results. One such example includes an embossing technique for forming such regions. Suitable embossing techniques are described in U.S. Patent Application Publications 2010 / 0297377, 2010 / 0295213, 2010 / 0295206, 2010 / 0028621, and 2006 / 0278355.

[0478] In one example, in a multi-layer sheet article, one or more fibrous structure laminae may be directly formed and / or deposited on an existing fibrous structure lamina to form a multi-layer sheet fibrous structure. Two or more existing fibrous structure laminae may be combined with one or more other existing fibrous structure laminae, for example, via thermal bonding, adhesives, embossing, perforating, tube passing, rotary knife perforating, die cutting, punching, needling, knurling, pneumatic forming, hydraulic forming, laser cutting, tufting, and / or other mechanical combination methods to form the multi-layer sheet article of the present disclosure.

[0479] Non-limiting examples of fibrous structure (F)

[0480] Examples 1F, 2F and 3F — The fibrous structure is composed of the formulas listed in Table 1 below according to the present disclosure.

[0481] Table 1

[0482] Non-limiting examples of article (A)

[0483] Example 1A - Supply a roll of fibrous structure of Example 1F that is 21" wide. Three 6" × 10" sheets may be cut from the fibrous web using a regular die cutter 45 and labeled A, B, and C. The regular die cutter may be positioned such that the 6" dimension is in the transverse direction. The regular die cutter 45 may be four sharp metal pieces 47 placed in a Lexan base 49, as Figure 20 shown, where two of the sharp metal pieces are 10" long and the other two are 6" long.

[0484] The sheet C can be placed face - down on the workbench with the fabric side made by fiber spinning, and the sheet B can be placed face - down on top of the sheet C with the fabric side made by fiber spinning. The sheet A can be placed face - up on top of the sheet B with the fabric side made by fiber spinning. Optionally, a liquid additive such as a fragrance, silicone, perfume microcapsule (PMC) solution, other beneficial active solution, or a combination thereof can be sprayed, coated, or applied to the sheet B. Additionally, optionally, a dry beneficial additive or particles (such as salts, enzymes, whitening agents), other beneficial active particles, or a combination thereof can be sprayed, added, or incorporated onto the sheet B.

[0485] The tool 51 for forming the edge seal of the article can be made of stainless steel. Such a tool 51 is shown, for example, in Figures 21A to 21C the following. Figure 21A The top view of the tool 51 for preparing five samples is shown. Figure 21B It shows the Figure 21A cross - sectional view of the tool defined by the letters A - 2A in Figure 21C The cross - sectional details of the end of the tool in contact with the fiber web to be sealed are shown. As Figure 22 shown, the tool 51 is bolted to the heated top plate 53 and the bottom plate of a typical laboratory mechanical press 55 with a 10” cylinder 57. An exemplary mechanical press is manufactured by Machinteck Corporation (3721 Port Union Rd., Fairfield, OH 45014).

[0486] The air pressure can be set from 25 psi to 35 psi, the temperature can be set to 145°F, and the dwell time can be set to 5 seconds. A stack of three 6"×10" sheets can be transferred to the mechanically heated press 55 and placed below the top heating plate 53, which has the tool 51 bolted to it. The press 55 can be actuated to pull the heated top plate 53 down onto the 6"×10" fiber web stack to form five sealed samples, which are still contained within the 6"×10" fiber web stack. Once the first compression cycle is completed, a second compression cycle with the air pressure increased to 90 psi to 100 psi can be completed, where the sealed samples can be cut from the rest of the fiber web. The edge - seal width can be determined by the width of the end of the tool 51 in contact with the fiber web, as Figure 21C shown. In such an example, the edge - seal width can be half of the width of the end of the tool. For example, if the width of the end is 0.13", the edge - seal width will be 0.065".

[0487] Example 2A—Supply rolls of the fibrous structure of Example 3F and 21" wide rolls of the fibrous structure of Example 2F. A 6"×10" rule die cutter 45 can be used to cut sheets of the fibrous web. The rule die cutter can include four sharp metal pieces 47 placed in a Lexan base 49, as Figure 20 shown, where two of the sharp metal pieces are 10" long and the other two are 6" long.

[0488] The rule die cutter 45 can be positioned such that the 6" dimension is placed across the width of the fibrous web roll. Three 6"×10" sheets can be cut from the Example 2F fibrous web using the rule die cutter 45 and labeled A, B, and C. Two 6"×10" sheets can be cut from Example 3F that does not have particles using the rule die cutter 45 and labeled D and E. Sheet E can be placed fabric side down on a work surface, and sheet C can be placed fabric side down on top of sheet E. Sheet B can be placed fabric side down on top of sheet C. Sheet A can be placed fabric side down on top of sheet B to cover the fragrance and silicone materials. Sheet D can be placed fabric side up on top of sheet A. Optionally, a liquid additive such as a fragrance, silicone, perfume microcapsule (PMC) solution, other beneficial active solution, or a combination thereof can be sprayed, coated, or applied to sheets A, B, and / or C. Additionally, optionally, a dry beneficial additive or particles (such as salts, enzymes, whitening agents), other beneficial active particles, or a combination thereof can be sprayed, added, or incorporated onto sheets A, B, and / or C.

[0489] As described in 1A, the tool 51 for forming the seal edge of the article can be made of stainless steel. Such a tool 51 is shown, for example, in Figures 21A to 21C FIG. Figure 21A A top view of the tool 51 for preparing five samples is shown. Figure 21B FIG. shows a cross-sectional view of the tool defined by the letters A-A in Figure 21A FIG.

[0490] Figure 21C FIG. shows cross-sectional details of the end of the tool in contact with the fibrous web to be sealed. As Figure 22 shown, the tool 51 is bolted to the heated top plate 53 and bottom plate of a typical laboratory mechanical press 55 having a 10” cylinder 57. One exemplary mechanical press is manufactured by Machinteck Corporation (3721 Port Union Rd., Fairfield, OH 45014).

[0491] The air pressure can be set to 50 psi, the temperature can be set to 145 °F, and the dwell time can be set to 5 seconds. A stack of five 6"×10" sheets can be transferred to a mechanically heated press 55 and placed beneath a top heating plate 53 that has a tool 51 bolted thereto. The press 55 can be actuated to pull the heated top plate 53 downward onto the 6"×10" web stack to form five sealed samples that remain contained within the 6"×10" web stack. Once the first compression cycle is completed, a second compression cycle with an increased air pressure from 90 psi to 100 psi can be completed, where the sealed samples can be cut from the remainder of the web. The seal width can be determined by the width of the end of the tool that contacts the web, as Figure 21C shown. In such examples, the seal width can be half the width of the end of the tool. For example, where the width of the end is 0.13", the seal width will be 0.065".

[0492] Table 2 below shows the corresponding properties exhibited by the articles of Example 1A and 2A of the present disclosure. For example, the data shows the desired seal strength and seal width performance levels achieved in the articles of the present disclosure.

[0493]

[0494] Table 2

[0495] Automatic dishwashing article

[0496] Automatic dishwashing articles contain one or more of the fibrous structures and surfactant systems of the present disclosure, and optionally one or more optional ingredients known in the cleaning art, such as those that can be used to clean dishes in an automatic dishwasher. Examples of such optional ingredients include: scale inhibitors, chelating agents, bleaches, fragrances, dyes, antibacterial agents, enzymes (e.g., proteases, amylases), cleaning polymers (e.g., alkoxylated polyethyleneimine polymers), anti-redeposition polymers, hydrotropes, defoamers, carboxylic acids, thickeners, preservatives, disinfectants, glass and metal care agents, pH buffering means such that the automatic dishwashing liquid typically has a pH of 3 to 14 (or 8 to 11), or mixtures thereof. Examples of automatic dishwashing actives are in US 5,679,630; US 5,703,034; US 5,703,034; US 5,705,464; US 5,962,386; US 5,968,881; US 6,017,871; US 6,020,294.

[0497] The formation of scale can be a problem. It can be caused by the precipitation of alkaline earth metal carbonates, phosphates, and silicates. Examples of scale inhibitors include polyacrylates and polymers based on combinations of acrylic acid with other moieties. Sulfonates of these polymers are particularly effective in the implementation of phosphorus-free formulations. Examples of scale inhibitors are described in US 5,783,540, column 15, line 20 to column 16, line 2; and EP 0 851 022 A2, page 12, lines 1 - 20.

[0498] In one example, an automatic dishwashing article comprising the fibrous structure of the present disclosure may comprise a dispersant polymer in an amount, by weight of the automatic dishwashing article, generally in the range of from 0 to about 30%, and / or from about 0.5% to about 20%, and / or from about 1% to about 10%. The dispersant polymer may be an ethoxylated cationic diamine or an ethoxylated cationic polyamine as described in U.S. Patent 4,659,802. Other suitable dispersant polymers include acrylic acid, maleic acid, and methacrylic acid such as 480N and ACUSOL synthesized copolymers provided by Rohm&Haas, and the acrylic acid - maleic acid (ratio 80 / 20) phosphonate - terminated dispersant copolymer available from Rohm&Haas under the trade name Acusol . Polymers comprising carboxylate and sulfonate monomers such as the polymer (provided by Alco) are also acceptable dispersant polymers. In one example, the polymer available under the trade name 725 is a copolymer of styrene and acrylic acid. 725 may also provide the beneficial effect of inhibiting metal corrosion. Other dispersant polymers are low molecular weight modified polyacrylate copolymers, including the low molecular weight copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,530,766 and 5,084,535 and European Patent Application 66,915 published on December 15, 1982.

[0499] In one example, an automatic dishwashing article comprising the fibrous structure of the present disclosure may comprise a nonionic surfactant, a sulfonated polymer, optionally a chelating agent, optionally a builder, optionally a bleach, and mixtures thereof. A method of cleaning dishes is provided that includes the step of dispensing an automatic dishwashing article of the present disclosure into an automatic dishwasher.

[0500] Hand - wash dishwashing article

[0501] The hand dishwashing product contains one or more fiber structures of the present disclosure, which contain a surfactant system, and optionally one or more optional ingredients known in the fields of cleaning and hand care, such as those that can be used for manually cleaning dishes. Examples of these optional ingredients include: fragrances, dyes, pearlescent agents, antibacterial agents, enzymes (such as proteases), cleaning polymers (such as alkoxylated polyethyleneimine polymers), cationic polymers, hydrotropes, humectants, emollients, hand care agents, polymer foam stabilizers, bleaching agents, diamines, carboxylic acids, thickeners, preservatives, disinfectants, pH buffering means that typically give the dishwashing liquid a pH of 3 to 14 and / or 8 to 11, or mixtures thereof. Examples of hand dishwashing actives are described in US 5,990,065; and US 6,060,122.

[0502] In one example, the surfactant of the hand dishwashing product comprises alkyl sulfates, alkoxysulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkoxysulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, amine oxides, betaines or derivatives of aliphatic amines or heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, quaternary ammonium surfactants, amines, monoalkoxylated alcohols or polyalkoxylated alcohols, alkyl polyglycosides, fatty acid amide surfactants, C8-C 20 ammonia amides, monoethanolamides, diethanolamides, isopropanolamides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, or mixtures thereof.

[0503] A method of washing dishes is provided, which includes the step of dispensing the hand dishwashing product of the present disclosure into a sink or basin suitable for holding soiled dishes. The sink or basin may contain water and / or soiled dishes.

[0504] Hard surface cleaning article

[0505] Hard surface cleaning products comprise one or more fibrous structures of the present disclosure, which comprise one or more ingredients known in the cleaning art, such as those that can be used to clean hard surfaces, such as acid ingredients, for example, acid ingredients that provide good scale removal performance (e.g., formic acid, citric acid, sorbic acid, acetic acid, boric acid, maleic acid, adipic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, glycolic acid, or mixtures thereof). Examples of ingredients that acidic hard surface cleaning products can comprise can include those described in US 7,696,143. As an alternative, hard surface cleaning products comprise alkaline ingredients (e.g., alkanolamines, carbonates, bicarbonate compounds, or mixtures thereof). Examples of ingredients that can be comprised in alkaline hard surface cleaning products can include those described in US 2010 / 0206328 A1. Methods of cleaning hard surfaces include using or dispensing a hard surface cleaning product in the method to clean the hard surface. In one example, the method includes dispensing the hard surface cleaning product into a bucket or similar container, optionally adding water to the bucket before or after dispensing the product into the bucket. In another example, the method includes dispensing the hard surface cleaning product into a toilet bowl, optionally scrubbing the surface of the toilet bowl after the product has dissolved in the water contained in the toilet bowl.

[0506] Toilet bowl cleaning head

[0507] Toilet bowl cleaning heads for performing toilet bowl cleaning are provided, which comprise one or more fibrous structures of the present disclosure. The toilet bowl cleaning heads can be disposable. The toilet bowl cleaning heads can be removably attached to a handle so that the user's hand is kept at a distance from the toilet bowl. In one example, the toilet bowl cleaning head can comprise a water-dispersible shell. Subsequently, the water-dispersible shell can comprise one or more fibrous structures of the present disclosure. Such a water-dispersible shell can enclose a core. The core can comprise at least one particulate material. The particulate material of the core can comprise a surfactant, an organic acid, a fragrance, a disinfectant, a bleach, a detergent, an enzyme, a granule, or mixtures thereof. Optionally, the core can be free of cellulose and can comprise one or more fibrous structures of the present disclosure. Examples of suitable toilet bowl cleaning heads can be prepared in accordance with co-owned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 901,804. Suitable toilet bowl cleaning heads comprising a starch material can be prepared in accordance with co-owned U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 13 / 073,308, 13 / 073,274, and / or 13 / 07,3346. Methods of cleaning the surface of a toilet bowl are provided, which include the step of contacting the surface of the toilet bowl with a toilet bowl cleaning head of the present disclosure.

[0508] Method of use

[0509] The fibrous structures of the present disclosure that include one or more fabric care active agents according to the present disclosure can be used in methods for treating fabric articles. The method for treating a fabric article can include one or more steps selected from the following: (a) pre-treating the fabric article before washing the fabric article; (b) contacting the fabric article with a wash liquor formed by contacting the fibrous structure with water; (c) contacting the fabric article with the fibrous structure in a dryer; (d) drying the fabric article in the presence of the fibrous structure in a dryer; and (e) combinations thereof.

[0510] In some examples, the method can further include the step of pre-wetting the fibrous structure before contacting it with the fabric article to be pre-treated. For example, the fibrous structure can be pre-wetted with water and then adhered to a portion of the fabric containing the stain to be pre-treated. Alternatively, the fabric can be wetted and the fibrous structure placed on or adhered to it. In some examples, the method can further include the step of selecting only a portion of the fibrous structure for treating the fabric article. For example, if only one fabric care article is to be treated, a portion of the fibrous structure can be cut or excised and placed on or adhered to the fabric, or placed in water to form a relatively small amount of wash liquor, which can then be used to pre-treat the fabric. In this way, the user can customize the fabric treatment method according to the task at hand. In some examples, at least a portion of the fibrous structure can be applied to the fabric to be treated with a device. Exemplary devices include but are not limited to brushes, sponges, and tapes. In another example, the fibrous structure can be applied directly to the surface of the fabric. Any one or more of the foregoing steps can be repeated to obtain the desired fabric treatment benefits.

[0511] Test method

[0512] Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein (including those described in the definition section and the following test methods) are performed on samples that have been conditioned in a conditioning chamber at a temperature of 23 °C ± 1.0 °C and a relative humidity of 50% ± 2% for at least 2 hours before testing. The samples being tested are "usable units". As used herein, a "usable unit" refers to a sheet, a flat sheet from a roll, a pre-converted flat sheet, and / or a single-layer or multi-layer sheet product. All tests are performed under the same environmental conditions and in such a conditioning chamber. Samples with defects such as wrinkles, tears, holes, etc. are not tested. For testing purposes, samples conditioned as described herein are considered dry samples (such as "dry filaments"). Calibrate all instruments according to the manufacturer's instructions.

[0513] Basis weight test method

[0514] The basis weight of the fibrous structure was measured on a top-loading analytical balance with a resolution of ±0.001 g for a stack of twelve available units. An air flow hood was used to shield the balance from air currents and other interferences. All samples were prepared using a precision cutting die (sized 3.500 inches ±0.0035 inches by 3.500 inches ±0.0035 inches).

[0515] Using the precision cutting die, the samples were cut into squares. The cut squares were combined to form a stack twelve samples thick. The mass of the sample stack was measured and the result recorded, accurate to 0.001 g.

[0516] The basis weight is in lbs / 3000 ft 2 or g / m 2 and is calculated as follows:

[0517] Basis weight = (mass of stack) / [(area of 1 square in the stack) × (number of squares in the stack)]

[0518] For example,

[0519] Basis weight (lbs / 3000 ft 2 ) = [[mass of stack (g) / 453.6 (g / lbs)] / [12.25 (in 2 ) / 144 (in 2 / ft 2 ) × 12]] × 3000

[0520] Or,

[0521] Basis weight (g / m 2 ) = mass of stack (g) / [79.032 (cm 2 ) / 10,000 (cm 2 / m 2 ) × 12]

[0522] The results were recorded accurate to 0.1 lbs / 3000 ft 2 or 0.1 g / m 2 . A precision cutter similar to the one mentioned above can be used to vary or change the sample dimensions such that the sample area in the stack is at least 100 square inches.

[0523] Water content test method

[0524] The water (moisture) content present in the fibrous elements and / or particles and / or fibrous structures is measured using the following water content test method. Prior to testing, the fibrous elements and / or particles and / or fibrous structures or portions thereof (“samples”) are placed in a conditioning chamber at a temperature of 23°C ± 1.0°C and a relative humidity of 50% ± 2% in the form of pre-cut sheets for at least 24 hours. Each fibrous structure sample has an area of at least 4 square inches, but is small enough in size to fit properly on the weighing pan of a balance. Using a balance with at least four decimal places, the weight of the sample is recorded every five minutes under the temperature and humidity conditions mentioned above until a change of less than 0.5% of the pre-weight is detected within a 10-minute period. The final weight is recorded as the “equilibrium weight”. Within 10 minutes, the sample is placed in a forced-air oven at 70°C ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 4% ± 2% and dried on top of a metal sheet for 24 hours. After drying for 24 hours, the sample is removed and weighed within 15 seconds. This weight is designated as the “dry weight” of the sample.

[0525] The water (moisture) content of the sample is calculated as follows:

[0526]

[0527] The water (moisture) % in three aliquot samples is averaged to provide the water (moisture) % in the reported sample. The results are recorded to the nearest 0.1%.

[0528] Dissolution test method

[0529] Equipment and materials (see also Figures 23 to 25 ) :

[0530] 600 mL beaker 54

[0531] Magnetic stirrer 56 (Labline model 1250 or equivalent)

[0532] Magnetic stir bar 58 (5 cm)

[0533] Thermometer (1 to 100°C + / - 1°C)

[0534] Cutting die - stainless steel cutting die with dimensions of 3.8 cm x 3.2 cm

[0535] Timer (0 - 3,600 seconds or 1 hour), accurate to the second. If the sample exhibits a dissolution time greater than 3,600 seconds, the timer used should have a sufficient total time measurement range. However, the timer needs to be accurate to the second.

[0536] Polaroid 35 mm slide frame 60 (commercially available from Polaroid Corporation or equivalent)

[0537] 35mm Slide Frame Holder 62 (or equivalent)

[0538] Cincinnati water or equivalent having the following characteristics: total hardness = 155 mg / L as CaCO3; calcium content = 33.2 mg / L; magnesium content = 17.5 mg / L; phosphate content = 0.0462.

[0539] Test scheme

[0540] Equilibrate the sample for at least 2 hours in a constant temperature environment of 23 °C ± 1.0 °C and a humidity of 50% RH ± 2%. Measure the basis weight of the fibrous structure sample using the basis weight test method defined herein. Cut three dissolution specimens from the article, such as the fibrous structure sample, using a cutting die (3.8 cm × 3.2 cm) and fit them into a 35 mm slide frame 60 with an open area size of 24 mm × 36 mm. Lock each sample in a separate 35 mm slide frame 60. Place a magnetic stir bar 58 in a 600 mL beaker 54. Open the tap water flow (or equivalent) and measure the water temperature with a thermometer, and if necessary, adjust the hot or cold water to maintain it at the test temperature. The test temperature is 15 °C ± 1 °C water. Once at the test temperature, fill the beaker 54 with 500 mL ± 5 mL of 15 °C ± 1 °C tap water. Place the entire beaker 54 on a magnetic stirrer 56, turn on the stirrer 56, and adjust the stirring speed until a vortex is formed and the bottom of the vortex is at the 400 mL mark of the beaker 54. Secure the 35 mm slide frame 60 in the spring clip 64 of the 35 mm slide frame holder 62 such that the long end 66 of the slide frame 60 is parallel to the water surface. The spring clip 64 should be positioned in the middle of the long end 66 of the slide frame 60. The depth regulator 68 of the holder 62 should be set such that the distance between the bottom of the depth regulator 68 and the bottom of the spring clip 64 is approximately 11 + / - 0.125 inches. This configuration will position the sample surface perpendicular to the water flow direction. In one motion, the fixed slide and fixture are dropped into the water and the timer is started. The sample is dropped such that the sample is located at the center of the beaker. Disintegration occurs when the nonwoven structure breaks. Record this as the disintegration time. When all visible nonwoven structure is released from the slide frame, raise the slide frame out of the water while continuing to monitor the solution for undissolved nonwoven structure fragments. Dissolution occurs when all nonwoven structure fragments are no longer visible. Record this as the dissolution time.

[0541] Repeat the test three times for each sample and record the average disintegration and dissolution times. The average disintegration and dissolution times are in seconds.

[0542] The average disintegration and dissolution times can be normalized for basis weight by dividing each by the sample basis weight determined by the basis weight method as defined herein. The basis weight normalized disintegration and dissolution times are in seconds / gsm of sample (s / (g / m2 in units of.

[0543] Median particle size test method

[0544] The median particle size must be determined using this test method.

[0545] Use ASTM D502–89, “Standard Test Method for Particle Size of Soaps and Other Detergents,” approved on May 26, 1989, with the sieve mesh specifications used in the analysis, to conduct the median particle size test to determine the median particle size of the seed material. In accordance with Part 7, “Procedure using machine-sieving method,” a set of clean and dry sieves including American Standard (ASTM E 11) sieves #8 (2360um), #12 (1700um), #16 (1180um), #20 (850um), #30 (600um), #40 (425um), #50 (300um), #70 (212um), #100 (150um) is required. Use the above set of sieves for the specified machine sieving method. The seed material can be used as the sample. A suitable sieve shaker is available from W.S.Tyler Company (Mentor, Ohio, U.S.A).

[0546] Plot this data on a semi-logarithmic graph by plotting the logarithm of the micron size opening of each sieve on the abscissa and the cumulative mass percentage (Q3) on the linear ordinate. An example of the data representation is given in Figure A.4 of ISO 9276-1:1998, “Representation of results of particle size analysis – Part 1: Graphical Representation.” For the purposes of this disclosure, the median particle size (D 50 ) is defined as the abscissa value of the point where the cumulative mass percentage equals 50%, and is calculated by linear interpolation between the data points directly above (a50) and below (b50) the 50% value, using the following formula:

[0547] D 50 = 10^[Log(D a50 ) - (Log(D a50 ) - Log(D b50 )) * (Q a50 - 50%) / (Q a50 - Q b50 )]

[0548] where Q a50 and Q b50 are the cumulative mass percentage values where the data immediately exceeds or falls below 50 percent; and D a50 and D b50 are the mesh micron values corresponding to these data.

[0549] In the event that the value at the 50th percentile is below the finest mesh (150um) or above the coarsest mesh (2360um), after a geometric progression not greater than 1.5, additional sieves must be added to the set until the median falls between two measured meshes.

[0550] The distribution span of the seed material is a measure of the width of the seed particle size distribution near the median. It can be calculated according to the following formula:

[0551] Span = (D 84 / D 50 + D 50 / D 16 ) / 2

[0552] where D 50 is the median particle size and D 84 and D 16 are the particle sizes at 16 percent and 84 percent respectively on the cumulative mass percentage retention curve.

[0553] In the event that the D 16 value is below the finest mesh (150um), then the span is calculated according to the following formula:

[0554] Span = (D 84 / D 50 ).

[0555] In the event that the D 84 value is above the coarsest mesh (2360um), then the span is calculated according to the following formula:

[0556] Span = (D 50 / D 16 ).

[0557] In the event that the D 16 value is below the finest mesh (150um) and the D 84 value is above the coarsest mesh (2360um), then the distribution span takes the maximum value of 5.7.

[0558] Diameter test method

[0559] The diameter of the discontinuous fiber elements or fiber elements within a fiber structure is determined by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) or an optical microscope and image analysis software. A magnification of 200x to 10,000x is selected such that the fiber elements are suitably magnified for measurement. When using an SEM, the samples are sputter-coated with a gold or palladium compound to avoid charging and vibration of the fiber elements in the electron beam. A manual procedure for determining the diameter of the fiber elements using the image (on the monitor screen) captured with an SEM or an optical microscope is used. Using the mouse and cursor tools, the edges of randomly selected fiber elements are searched for, and then the width across it (i.e., perpendicular to the fiber element direction at that point) is measured to the other edge of the fiber element. The zoom and calibration of the image analysis tool provide the zoom to obtain the actual reading in μm. For fiber elements within a fiber structure, multiple fiber elements are randomly selected using an SEM or an optical microscope through samples of the fiber structure. At least two portions of the fiber structure are cut out and tested in this manner. A total of at least 100 such measurements are made and then all the data are recorded for statistical analysis. The recorded data are used to calculate the mean value of the fiber element diameter, the standard deviation of the fiber element diameter, and the median of the fiber element diameter.

[0560] Another available statistic is to calculate the population number of fiber elements below a certain upper limit. To determine this statistic, the software is programmed to count how many fiber element diameters are below the upper limit, and this number (divided by the total number of data and multiplied by 100%) is recorded as a percentage below the upper limit, such as for example the percentage below a 1-micron diameter or %-submicron. We denote the measured diameter (in microns) of an individual circular fiber element as di.

[0561] In the case where the fiber element has a non-circular cross-section, the measured value of the fiber element diameter is determined and set equal to the hydraulic diameter, which is four times the cross-sectional area of the fiber element divided by the perimeter of the fiber element cross-section (the outer perimeter in the case of a hollow fiber element). The number-average diameter, alternatively the average diameter, is calculated as follows:

[0562]

[0563] Tensile test method: elongation, tensile strength, TEA and modulus

[0564] Elongation, tensile strength, TEA, and tangent modulus are measured on a constant rate extension tensiometer with a computer interface using a load cell (for which the force being measured is within 10% to 90% of the sensor limit). A suitable instrument is the EJA Vantage from Thwing-Albert Instrument Co. (West Berlin, NJ). Both the moving (upper) and fixed (lower) pneumatic clamps are equipped with stainless steel smooth-surface gripping members that are 25.4 mm in height and wider than the width of the specimen. An air pressure of approximately 60 psi is provided to the clamps.

[0565] Divide the eight available units of the fibrous structure into two stacks, with four samples in each stack. The samples within each stack are consistently oriented with respect to the machine direction (MD) and the cross direction (CD). One of the stacks is designated for testing along the MD, and the other for the CD. Use a one-inch precision cutter (Thwing Albert JDC-1-10 or the like) to cut 4 MD strips from one stack and 4 CD strips from the other stack, with dimensions of 1.00 in ± 0.01 in wide by 3.0–4.0 in long. Each strip that is one available unit thick will be treated as an integral sample for testing.

[0566] Program the tensiometer to perform an extension test, collecting force data and extension data at a sampling rate of 20 Hz, during which the jaws rise at a rate of 2.00 in / min (5.08 cm / min) until the sample breaks. Set the break sensitivity to 80%, i.e., terminate the test when the measured force drops to 20% of the maximum peak force, after which the jaws return to their initial position.

[0567] Set the gauge length to 1.00 inches. Zero the jaws and the load cell. Insert at least 1.0 in of the integral sample into the upper grip, align it vertically within the upper and lower clamps, and close the upper grip. Insert the integral sample into the lower grip and close it. The integral sample should be subjected to sufficient tension to eliminate any slack, but less than a force of 5.0 g on the load cell. Start the tensiometer and begin data collection. Repeat the test in a similar manner for all four CD and four MD integral samples. Program the software to calculate from the constructed force (g) vs. extension (in) curve as follows:

[0568] Tensile strength is the maximum peak force (g) divided by the sample width (in) and is recorded in g / in, accurate to 1 g / in.

[0569] The adjusted gauge length is calculated based on the extension measured when a force of 3.0 g (in) is added to the initial gauge length (in).

[0570] Elongation is calculated as the extension (in) at the maximum peak force divided by the conditioned gauge length (in) times 100, and is recorded as %, accurate to 0.1%.

[0571] The total energy (TEA) is calculated as the area under the force curve integrated from zero extension to the extension at the maximum peak force (g*in) divided by the product of the conditioned gauge length (in) and the sample width (in), and is recorded, accurate to 1 g*in / in 2 。

[0572] The force (g) vs. extension (in) curve is redrawn as a force (g) vs. strain curve. Strain is defined herein as the extension (in) divided by the conditioned gauge length (in).

[0573] The software is programmed to perform the following calculations from the constructed force (g) vs. strain curve:

[0574] The tangent modulus is calculated as the slope of the linear line drawn between two data points on the force (g) vs. strain curve, where one of the data points used is the first data point recorded after a 28 g force, and the other data point used is the first data point recorded after a 48 g force. The slope is then divided by the sample width (2.54 cm) and recorded, accurate to 1 g / cm.

[0575] Tensile strength (g / in), elongation (%), total energy (g*in / in 2 ) and tangent modulus (g / cm) are calculated for four CD-in-one samples and four MD-in-one samples. The average value of each parameter is calculated for the CD samples and the MD samples separately.

[0576] Calculation :

[0577] Geometric mean tension = square root of [MD tensile strength (g / in) × CD tensile strength (g / in)]

[0578] Geometric mean peak elongation = square root of [MD elongation (%) × CD elongation (%)]

[0579] Geometric mean TEA = square root of [MD TEA (g*in / in 2 ) × CD TEA (g / in 2 )]

[0580] Geometric mean modulus = square root of [MD modulus (g / cm) × CD modulus (g / cm)]

[0581] Total dry tensile strength (TDT) = MD tensile strength (g / in) + CD tensile strength (g / in)

[0582] Total TEA = MD TEA (g*in / in 2 ) + CD TEA (g*in / in 2)

[0583] Total modulus = MD modulus (g / cm) + CD modulus (g / cm)

[0584] Draw ratio = MD tensile strength (g / in) / CD tensile strength (g / in)

[0585] Thickness test method

[0586] Use a ProGage thickness tester (Thwing - Albert Instrument Company, West Berlin, NJ) with a circular pressure foot diameter of 2.00 inches (area of 3.14 in 2 ) to measure the thickness and / or product height of the fiber structure at a pressure of 15.5 g / cm 2 . Prepare five (5) samples as follows: Cut samples of the fiber structure such that the size of each cut sample is larger than the surface of the pressure foot, avoiding creases, folds, and obvious defects. If the length or width of the product is less than the diameter of the pressure foot, a pressure foot with a smaller diameter can be used, with appropriate adjustments made such that a pressure of 15.5 g / cm 2 is still applied. Place the individual sample on the anvil and center the sample under the pressure foot or at the position of the maximum height of the product. Lower the foot at a rate of 0.03 in / s to apply a pressure of 15.5 g / cm 2 . Take a reading after a 3 s dwell time and raise the foot. Repeat the test for the remaining 4 samples in a similar manner. The thickness or product height is calculated as the average thickness of the five samples and recorded precisely to 0.01 mm.

[0587] Shear viscosity test method

[0588] The shear viscosity of the filament - forming composition of the present disclosure is measured using a capillary rheometer (Goettfert Rheograph6000, manufactured by Goettfert USA (Rock Hill SC, USA)). Measurements are made using a capillary die with a diameter D of 1.0 mm and a length L of 30 mm (i.e., L / D = 30). Attach the die to the lower end of the 20 mm cylinder of the rheometer maintained at a die test temperature of 75°C. Load a 60 g sample of the filament - forming composition that has been pre - heated to the die test temperature into the cylinder portion of the rheometer. Remove the sample with any entrained air. At a set of selected rates from 1,000 seconds -1 to 10,000 seconds -1Push the sample through the capillary die from the cylinder. The apparent shear viscosity can be calculated by the software of the rheometer from the pressure drop experienced by the sample as it moves from the cylinder to the capillary die and the flow rate of the sample through the capillary die. Log (apparent shear viscosity) can be plotted against log (shear rate), and the plot can be fit by the power law, according to the equation η = Kγ n-1 where K is the viscosity constant of the material, n is the dilatant index of the material, and γ is the shear rate. The reported apparent shear viscosity of the filament-forming compositions herein is calculated by extrapolating using the power law relationship to a shear rate of 3,000 seconds -1 .

[0589] Weight - average molecular weight

[0590] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of materials such as polymers is determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using a mixed bed column. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which has the following components: , a Model 600E pump, a system controller and control software version 3.2, a Model 717Plus autosampler and a CHM-009246 column heater, all manufactured by Waters Corporation (Milford, MA, USA). The column is a PL gel 20μm Mixed A column (gel molecular weight in the range of 1,000 g / mol to 40,000,000 g / mol), which has a length of 600 mm and an inner diameter of 7.5 mm, and the guard column is PL gel 20μm, 50 mm in length, 7.5 mm ID. The column temperature is 55°C and the injection volume is 200 μL. The detector is Enhanced Optical System (EOS), which includes software, detector software version 4.73.04, manufactured by Wyatt Technology (Santa Barbara, CA, USA), a laser light scattering detector, having a K5 cell and a laser at 690 nm. Set the gain on the odd detectors to 101. Set the gain on the even detectors to 20.9. Set Wyatt Technology's differential refractometer to 50°C. Set the gain to 10. The mobile phase is HPLC grade dimethyl sulfoxide, which has 0.1% w / v LiBr, and the mobile phase flow rate is 1 mL / min, isocratic. The run time is 30 minutes.

[0591] The sample was prepared by dissolving the material in the mobile phase at a nominal concentration of 3 mg of material per 1 mL of mobile phase. The sample was capped and then stirred for approximately 5 minutes using a magnetic stirrer. The sample was then placed in a convection oven at 85 °C for 60 minutes. The sample was then allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The sample was then filtered through a 5-μm nylon membrane, type Spartan-25, manufactured by Schleicher & Schuell (Keene, NH, USA), and the sample was filtered into a 5-milliliter (mL) autosampler vial using a 5-mL syringe.

[0592] For each series of samples measured (3 or more material samples), a solvent blank sample was injected into the column. The test sample was then prepared in a similar manner as the samples described above. The test sample contained 2 mg / mL of pullulan (Polymer Laboratories) having a weight-average molecular weight of 47,300 g / mol. The test sample was analyzed prior to analyzing each set of samples. The blank sample, the test sample, and the material test samples were analyzed in parallel. The blank sample was analyzed last. The light scattering detector and the differential refractometer were operated according to the “Dawn EOS Light Scattering Instrument Hardware Manual” and the “DSP Interferometric Refractometer Hardware Manual,” both of which were manufactured by Wyatt Technology Corp. (Santa Barbara, CA, USA) and both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0593] The weight-average molecular weight of the sample was calculated using the detector software. A dn / dc (change in refractive index with concentration) value of 0.066 was used. The baselines of the laser detector and the refractive index detector were corrected to eliminate the effects of detector dark current and solvent scattering. If the laser detector signal was saturated or showed excessive noise, it was not used for calculating the molecular weight. The region for molecular weight characterization was selected such that the signals of the 90° δ detectors for laser scattering and refractive index were 3 times their respective baseline noise levels. Typically, the high molecular weight side of the chromatogram was defined by the refractive index signal and the low molecular weight side was defined by the laser signal.

[0594] The weight-average molecular weight could be calculated using the “first order Zimm plot” as defined by the detector software. If the weight-average molecular weight of the sample was greater than 1,000,000 g / mol, the first order Zimm plot and the second order Zimm plot were calculated and the result with the least regression fit error was used to calculate the molecular weight. The reported weight-average molecular weight was the average of two runs of the material test sample.

[0595] Fiber element composition test method

[0596] To prepare a fiber element for the measurement of fiber element composition, the fiber element must be conditioned by removing any coating composition and / or material that is removable and present on the outer surface of the fiber element. An example of a method for doing this is to wash the fiber element 3 times with a suitable solvent that will remove the external coating while leaving the fiber element unchanged. The fiber element is then air dried at 23 °C ± 1.0 °C until the fiber element contains less than 10% moisture. The chemical analysis of the conditioned fiber element is then completed to determine the fiber element composition configuration with respect to the filament-forming material and the active agent, as well as the levels of the filament-forming material and the active agent present in the fiber element.

[0597] The fiber element composition configuration with respect to the filament-forming material and the active agent can be determined by performing cross-sectional analysis using TOF-SIM or SEM. Another method for determining the fiber element composition configuration uses a fluorescent dye as a marker. Additionally, generally, the manufacturer of the fiber element should know the composition of its fiber element.

[0598] Improved circular bending test method

[0599] The improved circular bend of a sample of the fiber structure to be tested is measured on ...

Claims

1. An article of fibrous structure, the article comprising: a plurality of water-soluble fiber elements, wherein at least one of the fiber elements comprises one or more filament-forming materials; one or more particles; and a seal edge positioned generally along at least a portion of the perimeter of the article; wherein the seal edge exhibits a seal edge width of 0.5 mm to 4 mm as measured by the ASTM F88 / F88M-09 seal edge strength test method; and wherein the article exhibits a seal edge strength of 0.04 N / cm (0.1 N / in) to 1.6 N / cm (4 N / in) as measured by the ASTM F88 / F88M-09 seal edge strength test method.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein the one or more particles comprise active agent-containing particles.

3. The article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seal edge comprises one or more particles.

4. The article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the article comprises two or more fibrous structure layers in the form of a multi-layer sheet article.

5. The article according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the two or more fibrous structure layers comprises one or more particles.

6. The article according to claim 4, wherein the article comprises a first outermost layer sheet and a second outermost layer sheet, wherein the edges of each of the first outermost layer sheet and the second outermost layer sheet form the seal edge.

7. The article according to claim 6, wherein the article comprises one or more inner layer sheets, wherein the one or more inner layer sheets are surrounded by the first outermost layer sheet and the second outermost layer sheet.

8. The article according to claim 7, wherein the one or more inner layer sheets do not form the seal edge.

9. The article according to claim 7, wherein the one or more inner layer sheets comprise the one or more particles.

10. The article according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first outermost layer sheet and the second outermost layer sheet are free of particles.

11. The article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the article has one or more of the following: a width of 1 cm to 11 cm; a length of 1 cm to 20 cm; a height of 0.01 mm to 50 mm; a mass of 0.25 g to 50 g; a volume of 0.25 cc to 60 cc; and a density of 0.05 g / cc to 0.8 g / cc.

12. The article according to claim 2, wherein the one or more active agent-containing particles comprise one or more effervescent agents.

13. The article according to claim 12, wherein the one or more effervescent agents account for 0.1% to 50% based on the weight of the dry article.

14. The article according to claim 12, wherein the one or more effervescent agents are selected from tartaric acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, sulfamic acid, and combinations thereof; and / or wherein the one or more effervescent agents are selected from sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate, and combinations thereof.

15. The article according to claim 2, wherein the one or more active agent-containing particles comprise a surfactant, and wherein the surfactant is selected from: anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

16. The article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of water-soluble fiber elements comprise one or more active agents.

17. The article according to claim 16, wherein the one or more active agents are capable of being released from the fiber elements.

18. The article according to claim 16, wherein the one or more active agents present in the fiber elements comprise a surfactant, and wherein the surfactant comprised in the particles and the surfactant comprised in the fiber elements are different from each other.

19. The article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the edge seal is continuous or discontinuous.

20. A product shipping assembly, the product shipping assembly comprising one or more of the articles according to any one of claims 1-19.

Images