Dust removal conduits and processes

Abstract

An exemplary system includes a water-soluble unit-dose article comprising a water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet and a granular laundry detergent. The water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet is molded to form a partially sealed internal compartment and is 5 m 3 / m 2 / min~200m 3 / m 2 It has air permeability between the intervals of / min. The granular laundry detergent is contained within the internal compartment and contains a plurality of particles, the plurality of particles of which contain zeolite particles. The system comprises a sealing jaw, at least one of which is a heated sealing jaw, and the bottom seal of the internal compartment is sandwiched between the jaws. The jaws comprise a non-stick coating in contact with the bottom seal and a first dust removal conduit that directs the gas flow away from the area surrounding the upper section of the sealing jaw or away from the bottom section of the internal compartment.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Laundry detergents can be conveniently stored outside the washing machine and delivered into an aqueous solution in the form of water-soluble unit-dose articles. Exemplary water-soluble unit-dose articles for use in a washing machine contain granular laundry detergent encapsulated in a water-soluble fibrous non-woven sheet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] [Figure 1] Cross-sections of various exemplary systems are schematically shown. [Figure 2] Cross-sections of various exemplary systems are schematically shown. [Figure 3] Cross-sections of various exemplary systems are schematically shown. [Figure 4] Cross-sections of various exemplary systems are schematically shown. [Figure 5] Cross-sections of various exemplary systems are schematically shown. [Figure 6] Cross-sections of various exemplary systems are schematically shown. [Figure 7] Various exemplary processes are shown. [Figure 8] Various exemplary processes are shown. [Figure 9] Various exemplary processes are shown.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0003] As will be described in more detail below, the dust removal conduit according to the present disclosure is such that the dust removal conduit removes unwanted leakage of granular detergent from the water-soluble unit-dose article.

[0004] The water-soluble unit-dose article contains granular laundry detergent within an internal compartment formed by a water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet. The water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet allows for the transport of the granular laundry detergent before use in a washing machine. When used in a washing machine, the water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet and the granular laundry detergent dissolve. It has been found that with excessively low air permeability of the water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet, the detergent or sheet may be difficult to dissolve or may not dissolve at all during use in the wash. Conversely, it has been found that if the air permeability of the water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet is too high, a high percentage of granular laundry detergent may leak from the sheet. From these conditions, it was concluded that a suitable air permeability of the water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet allows for satisfactory dissolution during washing while minimizing the leakage of granular laundry detergent particles from the water-soluble unit-dose article during storage.

[0005] While zeolite particles contribute to achieving satisfactory washing results, they have also been found to have an abrasive effect during the manufacturing of water-soluble unit-dose articles. The presence of such particles can damage the seal jaws used to sandwich water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets to form a seal within the internal compartment of the water-soluble unit-dose article. Such zeolite abrasive particles tend to scrape the surface of the seal jaws. This degradation was particularly observed when one of the seal jaws was a heated seal jaw with a non-stick coating. In fact, to reduce the possibility of the nonwoven sheet sticking to the heated seal jaw and resulting in a less satisfactory or weaker seal, the non-stick coating of such a heated seal jaw is brought into contact with such a seal of the water-soluble unit-dose article, and abrasive zeolite particles escaping from the internal compartment through the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet damage the non-stick coating. These damages can lead to failure in the manufacturing process of water-soluble unit-dose articles. In particular, the seal of the water-soluble unit-dose article may fail, or the nonwoven sheet may stick to the heated seal jaw. Therefore, the manufacturing process must be stopped more frequently to clean the seal jaws from abrasive particles or to change the non-stick coating.

[0006] This disclosure relates to a dust removal conduit that directs the gas flow away from the area surrounding the upper part of a seal jaw. In particular, the dust removal conduit can remove abrasive particles. The dust removal conduit is 5m 3 / m 2 / min~200m 3 / m 2 This works in combination with the air permeability of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet contained within the / min. It has been found that air permeability of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet within this range allows for sufficient dissolution of the water-soluble unit dose article during washing, avoids excessive leakage of detergent through the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet during storage of the water-soluble unit dose article before washing, while at the same time allowing for the removal of zeolite particles by the dust removal conduit. Such an air permeability range makes it possible to generate airflow while permeating the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet during the production of the water-soluble unit dose article, thus avoiding the removal of a significant proportion of granular laundry detergent through the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet. Such a dust removal conduit thereby contributes to extending the life of the seal jaw and reducing the possibility of failure during the manufacturing process.

[0007] This disclosure relates to a system comprising a water-soluble unit-dose article, a seal jaw, and a dust removal system. The water-soluble unit-dose article includes a water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet and a granular laundry detergent composition.

[0008] Water-soluble unit quantity article The water-soluble unit-dose article includes a water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet and a granular laundry detergent composition. The nonwoven fiber sheet and the granular laundry detergent composition are described in more detail below.

[0009] The water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet is molded to form a partially sealed internal compartment, and the granular laundry detergent composition is contained within the internal compartment.

[0010] A unit dose article may include a first nonwoven fiber sheet and a second water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet, which are sealed to each other to define an internal compartment.

[0011] The water-soluble unit dose article is designed to prevent the granular detergent composition from leaking out of the compartment during storage. However, when the water-soluble unit dose article is added to water, the water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet dissolves, releasing the contents of the internal compartment into the cleaning solution. Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are merely used to distinguish different elements and, unless otherwise specified, are not specifically associated with any particular order or numbering of the elements in this disclosure.

[0012] A compartment should be understood as a sealed internal space within a unit-dose article that holds a granular detergent composition. In some examples, a first water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may be molded to include an open compartment into which the detergent composition is added. A second water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet can then be placed on top of the first sheet in an orientation that closes the opening of the compartment. The first and second sheets may then be sealed together along the sealing area. In other examples, the same single sheet may be formed into a sleeve (i.e., a substantially tubular shape), and the sleeve is sealed laterally to form a compartment (i.e., sealed along the direction at an angle to the axis of the tubular shape, for example, perpendicularly). In other words, a single water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet can be molded into an open container. The granular laundry detergent composition can then be filled into the open container, and the open container can then be sealed to close it and form an internal compartment.

[0013] A unit dose article may contain one or more compartments, more than two compartments, or more than three compartments. The compartments may be located in adjacent orientations, that is, one adjacent to the other. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment. If a unit dose article has at least two compartments, one compartment may be smaller than the other. Each compartment may contain the same composition or different compositions.

[0014] Figures 1 to 5 disclose various different exemplary systems according to the present disclosure. The exemplary systems comprise a water-soluble unit-dose article 100, seal jaws 110, 111, and a first dust removal conduit 116. The illustrated water-soluble unit-dose article 100 has a substantially rectangular body when viewed along direction V, which is perpendicular to the direction of the bottom seal and perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve containing the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet, and has a substantially triangular cross-section at the bottom tip, the cross-section crossing a plane perpendicular or perpendicular to the direction of the bottom seal, but the body and bottom tip may have any preferred shape including square, triangular, circular, elliptical, hexagonal, or a combination thereof. The illustrated water-soluble unit-dose article 100 includes a water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet 102. The water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet 102 is molded to form at least one internal compartment 104 containing a granular laundry detergent composition 106. The illustrated water-soluble unit-dose article 100 is symmetrical along a plane R, which is defined in more detail below. Although not shown in the illustrations, in some examples, the water-soluble unit-dose articles may exhibit an asymmetrical shape.

[0015] A detailed description of an exemplary dust removal conduit is provided in the following description.

[0016] Water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet The water-soluble unit dose article includes a water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet. The water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet contains a plurality of fibers. Preferably, the fibers are intertwined fibers in the form of a fibrous structure.

[0017] The water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may be homogeneous or layered. If layered, the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may contain at least two, and / or at least three, and / or at least four, and / or at least five layers.

[0018] Preferably, the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet has a basis weight of 15 gsm to 60 gsm, preferably 20 gsm to 55 gsm, more preferably 25 gsm to 50 gsm, and most preferably 25 gsm to 45 gsm. Those skilled in the art will recognize known methods for measuring basis weight.

[0019] Using a top-loading analytical balance with a sensitivity limit of ±0.001 g, the basis weight of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet is measured by stacking 12 usable units. A draft shield is used to protect the balance from airflow and other disturbances. All samples are prepared using a precision cutting die measuring 8.9 cm ± 0.009 cm × 8.9 cm ± 0.009 cm.

[0020] The sample is cut into squares using a precision cutting die. The cut squares are stacked to the thickness of 12 samples. The mass of the stacked samples is measured and the result is recorded in units of 0.001 g.

[0021] The basis weight is calculated in g / m2 as follows. Basis weight = (Mass of stacked samples) / [(Area of ​​one square in the stacked samples) × (Number of squares in the stacked samples)]

[0022] As used herein, "fiber" means an elongated element having a length greater than its average diameter, preferably having a length-to-average diameter ratio of at least about 10.

[0023] Preferably, each fiber may have a length of 5.08 cm or more, 7.62 cm or more, 10.16 cm or more, 15.24 cm or more, or a mixture thereof.

[0024] Alternatively, each fiber may have a length of less than 5.08 cm, less than 3.81 cm, less than 2.54 cm, or a mixture of these lengths.

[0025] Each fiber may have a width of less than 100 μm, less than 75 μm, less than 50 μm, less than 25 μm, less than 10 μm, less than 5 μm, less than 1 μm, or a mixture thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize standard methods for measuring width. Preferred methods include scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or optical microscopy with image analysis software.

[0026] A water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may contain multiple fibers that are identical or substantially identical in composition. Alternatively, a water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may contain two or more different fibers according to the present invention. Non-limiting examples of differences in fibers may include physical differences such as differences in diameter, length, texture, shape, stiffness, and elasticity, or chemical differences such as one or more of the following: crosslinking level, solubility, melting point, glass transition temperature Tg, and activator.

[0027] Preferably, the fibers are present in the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet at a concentration of 80% to 95% by weight, preferably 85% to 93% by weight, and more preferably 87% to 90% by weight.

[0028] Water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets may exhibit different regions, such as different basis weights, densities, and / or calyxes. Water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets may have texture on one or more of their surfaces. The surfaces of water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets may include patterns, such as non-random repeating patterns.

[0029] Water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets may have a thickness of 0.01 mm to 100 mm, preferably 0.05 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 20 mm, even more preferably 0.1 mm to 10 mm, even more preferably 0.1 mm to 5 mm, even more preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm, even more preferably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, and most preferably 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. Those skilled in the art will recognize standard methods for measuring thickness.

[0030] The fibers contain a polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Preferably, the fibers contain 50% to 98% by weight, preferably 65% ​​to 97% by weight, more preferably 80% to 96% by weight, and even more preferably 88% to 96% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol.

[0031] Polyvinyl alcohol polymers may have a weight-average molecular weight of 50 kDa to 150 kDa, preferably 75 kDa to 140 kDa, and more preferably 100 kDa to 130 kDa. As used herein, “weight-average molecular weight” means the weight-average molecular weight determined by gel permeation chromatography according to the protocol found in Colloids and Surfaces A. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Vol. 162, 2000, pg. 107-121. Those skilled in the art will recognize other known techniques for determining weight-average molecular weight (MW).

[0032] Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average percentage hydrolysis degree of 75% to 100%, preferably 80% to 95%, and most preferably 85% to 90%. Preferably, the average viscosity of the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer is 1 to 30 mPas, preferably 5 to 25 mPas, and most preferably 10 to 20 mPas, and the viscosity is measured as a 4% aqueous solution in desalinated water at 20°C.

[0033] The fiber preferably contains 0.1% to 15% by weight of a gel-breaking agent, the gel-breaking agent being selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, amines, amides, carbohydrates, polyvalent cations, or mixtures thereof, preferably polyols, sugar alcohols, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fiber contains 1% to 12% by weight, preferably 2% to 10% by weight of a gel-breaking agent.

[0034] While not bound by theory, polyols are synthetic materials, while sugar alcohols are natural materials. Sugar alcohols may include ribose, xylose, fructose, or mixtures thereof.

[0035] Preferably, the gel disruptor is selected from glycerol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hexylene glycol, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, polypropylene glycol, urea, formamide, ethanolamine, carbohydrates, dianhydrohexitol, magnesium chloride, and mixtures thereof, and is preferably selected from polyethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, dipropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

[0036] Preferably, the fiber contains 0.1% to 15% by weight, preferably 1% to 12% by weight, more preferably 2% to 10% by weight of the fiber, a gel disruptor selected from glycerol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hexylene glycol, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, polypropylene glycol, urea, formamide, ethanolamine, carbohydrates, dianhydrohexitol, magnesium chloride, and mixtures thereof, or preferably, the fiber contains 0.1% to 15% by weight, preferably 1% to 12% by weight, more preferably 2% to 10% by weight of the fiber, a gel disruptor selected from polyethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, dipropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

[0037] Preferably, the fiber contains 0.1% to 15% by weight, preferably 1% to 12% by weight, more preferably 2% to 10% by weight of the fiber as a gel disruptor, and the fiber contains 0.1% to 15% by weight, preferably 1% to 12% by weight, more preferably 2% to 10% by weight of the fiber as a gel disruptor selected from glycerol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hexylene glycol, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, polypropylene glycol, urea, formamide, ethanolamine, carbohydrates, dianhydrohexitol, magnesium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fiber contains 0.1% to 15% by weight, preferably 1% to 12% by weight, and more preferably 2% to 10% by weight of the fiber as a gel disruptor, and the fiber contains 0.1% to 15% by weight, preferably 1% to 12% by weight, and more preferably 2% to 10% by weight of the fiber as a gel disruptor selected from polyethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, dipropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

[0038] Preferably, the weight-average molecular weight of polyethylene glycol is 100 to 800, preferably 200 to 750, more preferably 400 to 700, and even more preferably 500 to 650. As used herein, “weight-average molecular weight” means the weight-average molecular weight determined by gel permeation chromatography according to the protocol found in Colloids and Surfaces A. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Vol. 162, 2000, pg. 107-121. Those skilled in the art will recognize other known techniques for determining weight-average molecular weight (MW).

[0039] The fiber nonwoven sheet may contain a second set of particles. Although not bound by theory, the fiber nonwoven fabric substrate contains gaps or spaces between the fibers. If present, the second set of particles are present, and they are preferably located within the gaps / spaces between the fibers. Preferably, the second set of particles are present in an amount of 0.25% to 10% by weight, preferably 0.5% to 5% by weight, and more preferably 1% to 3% by weight of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet. Those skilled in the art will recognize a method for determining the weight percentage of the second set of particles. A preferred method includes the following steps: Carefully separate both sides of the fiber nonwoven sheet from the detergent-filled unit-dose article. Weigh each side separately. Record the initial weight (with particles). Place the fabric containing the particles on a sieve and blow a dry air compression line over the fiber nonwoven sheet to remove all clogged particles. Reweigh the fiber nonwoven fabric to obtain the difference. The weight difference is recorded as ((initial weight - final weight) / initial weight) × 100 (recorded as a weight percentage).

[0040] Preferably, the second plurality of particles in the nonwoven fabric include zeolite, inorganic salt, surfactant granules, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the inorganic salt includes sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the surfactant granules may include spray-dried surfactant granules, coagulating surfactant granules, or mixtures thereof.

[0041] Preferably, the second plurality of particles in the nonwoven fabric have an average particle size distribution of 1 micron to 150 microns, preferably 5 microns to 125 microns, and more preferably 10 microns to 100 microns.

[0042] Preferably, the fibers contain less than 5% by weight of water, more preferably less than 3% by weight, and even more preferably less than 2% by weight.

[0043] Preferably, the fibers do not contain any surfactants. Although not bound by theory, any surfactants present in the granular laundry detergent composition, and therefore in the fibers themselves, do not contribute to the cleaning performance of a unit dose of the product.

[0044] The fibers may be produced by any suitable process. The fibers can be spun from the filament-forming composition using techniques known to those skilled in the art. Suitable spinning process operations include meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning, rotary spinning, or a combination thereof.

[0045] While not bound by theory, nonwoven fiber sheets exhibit a different dissolution profile than cast sheets.

[0046] The following is an exemplary test method for measuring the dissolution of fiber nonwoven sheets. The following equipment can be used in this exemplary dissolution method. 2000mL glass beaker (approximately 7.5 inches high x 5.5 inches in diameter) Dish for electromagnetic stirrer (Labline, Melrose Park, IL, Model No. 1250 or equivalent) Stirring rod for electromagnetic stirrer (2 inches long x 3 / 8 inch diameter, Teflon coated) Thermometer (1~100℃+ / -1℃) 1.25-inch paper binder clip Alligator clamp (approximately 1 inch in length) Holder having depth adjustment rod and bottom Timer (with an accuracy of at least 0.1 seconds) Deionized water (equilibrium reached at 23°C ± 1°C) Cutting die -- Stainless steel cutting die, dimensions 3.8cm x 3.2cm Polaroid 35mm Slide Mount (commercially available from Polaroid Corporation or equivalent) 35mm Slide Mount Holder (or equivalent)

[0047] Before testing, the nonwoven fiber sheet samples are equilibrated in a constant temperature and humidity environment of 23°C ± 1°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity for at least 24 hours. The dissolution test is also conducted under these temperature and humidity conditions.

[0048] The basis weight of the sample material is measured using known techniques.

[0049] Using a cutting die, three sample pieces for the dissolution test are cut from the nonwoven fiber sheet sample to be tested (3.8 cm × 3.2 cm) so that they fit within a 35 mm sliding table with a hole area of ​​24 × 36 mm.

[0050] Each sample is fixed to its own 35mm sliding stage.

[0051] Pour 1600±5mL of deionized water into a 2000mL glass beaker and place it on a magnetic stirring plate. Place the stirring rod for the electromagnetic stirrer at the bottom of the beaker. Adjust the stirring speed to create a stable vortex so that the bottom of the vortex is at the 1200mL mark in the center of the beaker.

[0052] A trial run may be necessary to ensure that the depth adjustment rod is set correctly. Secure the 35mm sliding table to the alligator clamp of the 35mm sliding table holder so that the long end of the sliding table is parallel to the water surface. The alligator clamp must be centered on the long end of the sliding table. The alligator clamp is fixed to the end of the depth adjustment rod. The depth adjustment rod is positioned so that when the paper binder clip is lowered into the water, the entire nonwoven fiber sheet sample is completely submerged in the water in the center of the beaker, the top of the nonwoven fiber sheet sample is at the bottom of the vortex, and the bottom of the sliding table / sliding table holder does not directly contact the stirring rod. The depth adjustment rod and alligator clamp should be set so that the surface of the open film wall material sample is perpendicular to the water flow.

[0053] In a single operation, the fixed sliding mechanism and clamp are lowered into the water, and the timer is activated. The nonwoven fiber sheet sample is dropped so that it is centered in the beaker. Once all visible nonwoven fiber sheet samples have come off the sliding mechanism, the sliding mechanism is raised out of the water while continuously monitoring the solution for any undissolved sample fragments. Dissolution has occurred when all sample fragments are no longer visible in the water. This is recorded as the dissolution time.

[0054] Measure three copies of each sample and report the average dissolution time within + / - 0.1 seconds. The average dissolution time is in seconds.

[0055] The average dissolution time is normalized to basis weight by dividing each by the sample basis weight determined by the basis weight method defined herein. The average dissolution time normalized to basis weight is in seconds / gsm (s / (g / m2)) for the sample.

[0056] A non-limiting example of a suitable process for producing fibers is: a. A step of providing the filament-forming composition from a tank or the like, b. A step of spinning a filament-forming composition into one or more fibers via a spinning die or the like, c. The process includes the step of collecting fibers onto a collection device such as a patterned belt.

[0057] The filament-forming composition can be transported between a tank and a spinning die via suitable piping, with or without the use of a pump. The spinning die may include a plurality of fiber-forming holes, each containing molten capillaries surrounded by concentric attenuation fluid holes through which a fluid, such as air, passes, facilitating the attenuation of the filament-forming composition into fibers as it exits the fiber-forming holes.

[0058] The filament-forming composition may be spun into one or more fibers by any suitable spinning process (such as melt-blown, spun-bonding, electrospinning, and / or spin-tossing). The filament-forming composition may be spun into multiple fibers by melt-blown. For example, the filament-forming composition can be pumped from a tank to a melt-blown spinnerette. Once exiting one or more fiber-forming holes in the spinnerette, the filament-forming composition is attenuated with air to produce one or more fibers. The fibers can then be dried to remove any residual solvent used in spinning, such as water.

[0059] The fibers may be collected on a belt, such as a pattern belt, to form a fiber nonwoven sheet containing the fibers.

[0060] Preferably, fiber nonwoven sheets are produced by bonding or linking fibers by mechanical, thermal, chemical, or solvent means. When fiber nonwoven sheets are produced from staple fibers, their production involves forming a uniform web by a wet-laid process or carding, followed by bonding the nonwoven fabric by heat or by other means such as needle punching or water entanglement. Spun-laid fiber nonwovens are produced in a single continuous process in which fibers are spun and then directly dispersed into a web by a deflector or airflow. Melt-blown fiber nonwovens are a one-step process in which high-speed air blows molten thermoplastic resin from the tip of an extruder die onto a conveyor or winding screen to form a fine fiber self-bonding web.

[0061] Seal Joe Figures 1 to 5 further disclose exemplary seal jaws 110 and 111. Seal jaws should be understood as elongated mechanical elements such as seal bars, made from, for example, metal, in some examples from aluminum, which may be close to each other to sandwich material between such jaws to seal such material. To form a seal, at least one of the seal jaws is a heated seal jaw. In some examples, the heated seal jaw may have a heat source, such as one or more resistors, or may be in contact with a heat source. In some examples, a single heated seal jaw is provided, and such a single heated jaw transfers heat to the material sandwiched or trapped between the jaws. In some examples, the seal jaws include a pair of heated seal jaws facing each other, thereby increasing and homogenizing heat transfer compared to using a single heated jaw coupled to an unheated jaw.

[0062] In some examples, the heated seal jaw is heated by hot wire impulse technology, thereby rapidly heating a wire, such as nickel-chromium wire, by an electric current. Other techniques may be used to heat the seal jaw. In some examples, such wire may be sealed in a non-stick coating, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyimide, such as poly(4,4'-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitoimide). In some examples, the non-stick coating, such as PTFE tape, is placed on top of the hot wire or hot seal band, and as a result, the non-stick coating is positioned between the hot wire or hot seal band and the non-woven sheet to reduce the possibility that such a nonwoven sheet may stick to the heat source, resulting in a poorer or weaker seal.

[0063] In some examples, the non-stick coating includes polymer materials.

[0064] In some cases, non-adhesive coatings include non-polymer materials such as ceramics. Ceramics can have a longer service life than non-polymer materials.

[0065] In some examples, the seal jaws according to the present disclosure may be inner seal jaws sandwiched between outer retaining jaws, for example, unheated outer retaining jaws, so that the first outer retaining jaws, the inner seal jaws, and the second outer retaining jaws follow each other in this order in the direction of movement of the nonwoven sheet, thereby enabling the outer retaining jaws to hold the nonwoven sheet in place when a seal is formed.

[0066] In some examples, the jaws include a silicon layer, for example, a silicon layer with a hardness between 25 and 35 Shore A or a tensile strength of 550 to 770 MPa. A high Shore value or high tensile strength provides high local sealing pressure, which can be useful, for example, for precise definition or cutting of the seal. However, a high Shore value can lead to rapid degradation of the non-stick coating. In some examples, the silicon layer is placed beneath the wires of the hot wire impulse component (i.e., further away from the seal compared to them). In some examples, the silicon layer runs along the entire length of the seal jaw or seal bar. In some examples, the silicon layer has a width substantially equal to the width of the seal jaw.

[0067] In some cases, a non-adhesive strip, such as PTFE tape (commercially available as Teflon tape, for example), is placed between a silicon layer acting as a base and the wires of the hot wire impulse component to reduce friction and allow the wires to move freely during thermal expansion or contraction.

[0068] In some cases, a non-adhesive or PTFE strip is also placed beneath the silicone layer (i.e., further away from the seal compared to the silicone layer) and on top of the jaw body (e.g., an aluminum body) to act as an insulating layer to prevent heat transfer to the silicone and shorten its lifespan.

[0069] As shown in the exemplary systems of Figures 1 to 5, the seal jaws 110 and 111 are such that the bottom seal 108 of the sealed internal compartment 104 is sandwiched between the jaws 110 and 111, and the seal jaws extend along the longitudinal direction (direction Z). Such sandwiching forms the bottom seal 108 from the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet 102.

[0070] As shown in the exemplary system of Figure 1, the first jaw of the jaw, jaw 110, includes a flat portion 112 along the longitudinal direction (direction Z) of the bottom seal 108, the flat portion having a flat portion width perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (direction Z) of the seal and along a transverse direction (direction Y corresponding to the direction D of displacement of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the seal jaw. In other words, the indicated flat portion width should be understood as the flat portion width along the direction D of displacement of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet. As shown in the exemplary systems of Figures 1 to 5, the flat portion 112 of jaw 110 extends toward the opposite jaw 111.

[0071] In some examples where the jaws include a flat section, precisely dimensioning the first jaw in relation to the thickness of the nonwoven sheet allows for a relatively strong seal to be obtained by sandwiching the nonwoven sheet with the flat section, while limiting the width of the seal along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the seal, thereby improving the dilution of the seal in the context of the washing cycle.

[0072] In some examples, as shown in Figure 3A, the flat portion 112 of the jaw 110 protrudes toward the opposite jaw 111.

[0073] It should be understood that a seal jaw does not necessarily include a flat portion. In some other examples, a seal jaw comprises a protrusion (projection or projection) and a base. As shown in the exemplary system of Figure 2, the second jaw of the jaw, jaw 111, has a projection 202 along the longitudinal direction of the seal (direction Z), the projection 202 has a base 206, and the projection extends toward the opposite jaw 110. As shown in the exemplary system of Figure 2, the projection 202 has an arched outer surface. Such a base should be understood as the surface at the junction between the projection and the body of the jaw onto which the projection extends. The surface of the base is substantially parallel to planes parallel to directions Y and Z. The projection or projection should be understood as a projection from the body of the jaw toward the bottom seal of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet sandwiched between the seal jaws.

[0074] As shown in the exemplary systems of Figures 1 to 6, the seal jaws 110, 111 define the upper section 113 contained within plane M, which is parallel to both the longitudinal direction (Z direction) and the X direction of the seal. In other words, in the exemplary systems of Figures 1 to 5, plane M is perpendicular to the displacement direction D (or Y direction).

[0075] In some examples, jaws 110 and 111 have different widths along the Y direction, different depths along the X direction, and different longitudinal lengths along the Z direction (direction X is perpendicular to both directions Y and Z). In some examples, the first jaw 10 of the jaws is the heated jaw. In other examples, both jaws 110 and 111 are heated. In some examples, the first jaw 110 is not heated while jaw 111 is heated.

[0076] Figure 6 focuses on an exemplary sealing area. Figure 6 shows exemplary seal jaws 110, 111, where jaw 111 has a flat portion 606 along the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the seal 108, and the flat portion 606 has a width 608 along the direction Y. The flat portion shown in Figure 6 should be understood to be similar to the flat portion described above. Figure 6 also shows an exemplary non-stick coating 610 positioned along the flat portion 606, where jaw 111 is heated, and the flat portion has a width 614 which is smaller than the width 608 of the flat portion 606. This arrangement of the non-stick coating 610 shown in Figure 6 allows the non-stick coating to be removed from the heated jaw 111.

[0077] In the exemplary sealing region of Figure 6, the bottom seal 108 is formed from two parts of the same sheet 102. In Figure 6, the sheets have the same thickness, but in some examples, different thicknesses may be used, in which case the average thickness should be used to select the relative dimensions of the sheet thickness and the width of the flat portion. As already described, such specific ranges of width of the flat portion and sheet thickness have made it possible to obtain a reliable seal for water-soluble unit-dose articles while maintaining satisfactory dissolution of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet during the washing process.

[0078] In some embodiments, the width of the flat portion is greater than 4.5 times the thickness of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet 102 and less than 15 times the thickness of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet. In some embodiments, the width of the flat portion is greater than 6 times the thickness of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet 102 and less than 10 times the thickness of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet. In some embodiments, the width of the flat portion is greater than 7 times the thickness of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet 2 and less than 8 times the thickness of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet.

[0079] In some cases, the width of the flat portion is greater than 0.5 mm and less than 5 mm. In some cases, the width of the flat portion is greater than 0.75 mm and less than 3 mm. In some cases, the width of the flat portion is greater than 1 mm and less than 2 mm.

[0080] In some cases, the thickness of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet is less than 0.4 mm and greater than 0.1 mm.

[0081] In some examples, the width of the flat section is smaller than the width of the body of the first jaw along the same direction. In other examples, the width of the flat section is equal to or corresponds to the width of the body of the first jam along the same direction. Although not shown here, the width of the flat section may be larger than the width of the body of the first jam along the same direction.

[0082] In some examples, one of the jaw bodies may have multiple sub-jaws.

[0083] In some examples, the second flat portion has dimensions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the seal that are greater than half the width of the flat portion and less than five times the width of the flat portion. In some examples, the second flat portion has dimensions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the seal that are greater than the width of the flat portion and less than five times the width of the flat portion. In some examples, the second flat portion has dimensions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the seal that are greater than twice the width of the flat portion and less than five times the width of the flat portion.

[0084] In some examples, the seal jaw has a length along the longitudinal direction of the seal that is at least 2.5% longer than the length of the seal along the longitudinal direction of the seal. Such a length difference avoids or reduces the effect of heating discontinuities at the tip of the jaw on the seal. Such a length difference has been found to improve the reliability of the seal. In some examples, the seal jaw has a length along the longitudinal direction of the seal that is at least 5% longer than the length of the seal along the longitudinal direction of the seal. In some examples, the seal jaw has a length along the longitudinal direction of the seal that is at least 10% longer than the length of the seal along the longitudinal direction of the seal.

[0085] The jaw features of this disclosure should be understood to be not limited to either jaw 110 or jaw 111, and they may apply to both jaws.

[0086] In some cases, the granular laundry detergent contained within the internal compartment weighs more than 5 grams but less than 200 grams. In other cases, the granular laundry detergent contained within the internal compartment weighs more than 20 grams but less than 100 grams. The weight was found to affect the formation of the seal, and in some cases, the tension caused by the weight on the seal area sandwiched between the jaws affected the breakage of the seal. Such tension was also found to depend on the seal length. In fact, in some cases, the seal has a length of more than 4 cm but less than 11 cm along the longitudinal direction of the seal.

[0087] In some examples, to increase filling efficiency and reduce the relative proportion of the filler material compared to the granular detergent material in a water-soluble unit-dose article, the exemplary process includes filling the internal compartment with granular detergent to reduce the headspace within the sealed and filled internal compartment to less than 20% of the total volume of the internal compartment. The exemplary process includes filling the internal compartment with granular detergent to reduce the headspace within the sealed and filled internal compartment to less than 15% of the total volume of the internal compartment. The exemplary process includes filling the internal compartment with granular detergent to reduce the headspace within the sealed and filled internal compartment to less than 10% of the total volume of the internal compartment. The exemplary process includes filling the internal compartment with granular detergent to reduce the headspace within the sealed and filled internal compartment to less than 5% of the total volume of the internal compartment. The exemplary process includes filling the internal compartment with granular detergent to reduce the headspace within the sealed and filled internal compartment to less than 2% of the total volume of the internal compartment. It should be understood that a reduction in headspace means that the filling level of the granular detergent approaches the seal. Such headspace should be understood as the proportion of internal volume substantially free of granular detergent in a self-contained, sealed, water-soluble unit-dose article. Dust removal according to the examples described herein makes it possible to achieve such reduced headspace levels while maintaining sufficient manufacturing reliability.

[0088] In some embodiments, the flat portion comprises a removable layer in contact with the upper seal, the removable layer having a surface energy of less than 19 × 10⁻⁵ N per centimeter. In some embodiments, the flat portion may be removable itself. An example of a material having a surface energy of less than 19 × 10⁻⁵ N per centimeter is PTFE, as mentioned above. This introduces non-stick properties and allows for replacement in case of thermal degradation of the layer having a surface energy of less than 19 × 10⁻⁵ N per centimeter. In some embodiments, the removable layer having a surface energy of less than 19 × 10⁻⁵ N / cm also avoids sticking to the heat source (such as a hot wire or hot band) by not being in direct contact with the heat source of the corresponding jaw.

[0089] Granular laundry detergent composition Water-soluble unit-dose articles include granular laundry detergents. Granular laundry detergents should be understood as laundry detergents containing multiple particles.

[0090] Typically, a granular laundry detergent composition is a fully formulated laundry detergent composition and not a part thereof, such as spray-dried, extruded, or aggregated particles that form only a portion of the laundry detergent composition.Typically, a granular detergent composition comprises multiple chemically distinct particles, such as spray-dried base detergent particles and / or aggregated base detergent particles and / or extruded base detergent particles, in combination with one or more, typically two or more, five or more, or even ten or more particles selected from the following: surfactant particles including surfactant aggregates, surfactant extruders, surfactant needles, surfactant noodles, and surfactant flakes; phosphate particles; zeolite particles; silicate particles, especially sodium silicate particles; carbonate particles, especially sodium carbonate particles; polymer particles, e.g., carboxylate polymer particles, cellulosic polymer particles, starch particles, polyester particles, polyamine particles, terephthalate polymer particles, polyethylene glycol particles; aesthetic particles, e.g., colored noodles, needles, lamellar particles, and ring-shaped particles; enzyme particles, e.g., protease granules, amylase granules, lipase granules, cellulase granules, mannanase granules, pectinate lyase granules, xyloglucanase granules, bleaching enzyme granules, and cogranulated products of any of these enzymes (preferably) Or these enzyme granules contain sodium sulfate); bleaching particles, for example, percarbonate particles, in particular coated percarbonate particles such as percarbonates coated with carbonates, sulfates, silicates, borosilicates, or any combination thereof; perborate particles; bleaching activator particles such as tetraacetylethylenediamine particles and / or alkyloxybenzene sulfonate particles; bleaching catalyst particles such as transition metal catalyst particles and / or isoquinolinium bleaching catalyst particles; preformed peracid particles, in particular coated preformed peracid particles; filler particles, for example For example, sulfate particles and chloride particles; clay particles, e.g., montmorillonite particles and clay and silicone particles; flocculant particles, e.g., polyethylene oxide particles; wax particles, e.g., wax aggregates; silicone particles, whitening agent particles; anti-color transfer particles; dye fixing agent particles; fragrance particles such as fragrance microcapsules and starch-encapsulated fragrance accord particles, or pro-perfume particles such as Schiff base reaction product particles; hue dye particles; chelating agent particles, e.g., chelating agent aggregates; and any combination thereof.

[0091] The fragrance contained in the fragrance particles includes fragrance raw materials. The fragrance raw materials may include one or more, preferably two or more, fragrance raw materials. The term "fragrance raw material" (or "PRM") as used herein means a compound having a molecular weight of at least about 100 g / mol and useful for imparting odor, fragrance, essence, or scent, either alone or in combination with other fragrance raw materials. Typical PRMs include alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, ethers, nitrides, and alkenes such as terpenes.

[0092] PRMs may be characterized by their boiling point (BP), measured at atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg), and their octanol / water partition coefficient (P), which can be described with respect to logP, determined according to the following test method. Based on these characteristics, PRMs may be classified as Quadrant I, Quadrant II, Quadrant III, or Quadrant IV fragrances, as will be described in more detail below. Fragrances with various PRMs from different quadrants may be desirable, for example, to provide aromatic effects at different touchpoints during normal use.

[0093] Fragrance raw materials having a boiling point BP lower than approximately 250°C and a logP lower than approximately 3 are known as Quadrant I fragrance raw materials. Quadrant I fragrance raw materials are preferably limited to less than 30% of the fragrance composition. Fragrance raw materials having a BP higher than approximately 250°C and a logP higher than approximately 3 are known as Quadrant IV fragrance raw materials, fragrance raw materials having a BP higher than approximately 250°C and a logP lower than approximately 3 are known as Quadrant II fragrance raw materials, and fragrance raw materials having a BP lower than approximately 250°C and a logP higher than approximately 3 are known as Quadrant III fragrance raw materials.

[0094] Preferably, the fragrance comprises a mixture of at least three, or even more precisely, at least five, or at least seven, fragrance ingredients. The fragrance in the capsule may also contain at least ten or at least fifteen fragrance ingredients. The mixture of fragrance ingredients may provide a more complex and desirable aesthetic, and / or better fragrance performance or longevity, for example, at various touchpoints. However, it may be desirable to limit the number of fragrance ingredients in the fragrance in order to reduce or limit the complexity and / or cost of the formulation.

[0095] The fragrance may contain at least one naturally derived fragrance ingredient. Such ingredients may be desirable for sustainability / environmental reasons. The naturally derived fragrance ingredient may contain natural extracts or essences that may contain a mixture of PRMs. Examples of such natural extracts or essences include orange oil, lemon oil, rose extract, lavender, musk, patchouli, balsam essence, sandalwood oil, pine root oil, and cedar.

[0096] The fragrance may include, in addition to the fragrance raw materials, pro-fragrances that can contribute to improving the lifespan of the freshness effect. The pro-fragrances may include, for example, non-volatile substances that release or convert fragrance materials as a result of simple hydrolysis, or they may be pH-change induced pro-fragrances (e.g., induced by a decrease in pH), or they may be enzyme-released pro-fragrances, or photo-induced pro-fragrances. Depending on the selected pro-fragrances, the pro-fragrances may exhibit a variety of release rates.

[0097] Suitable fragrances include fragrance materials selected from the following groups: (a) fragrance substances having a ClogP of less than 3.0 and a boiling point of less than 250°C (Quadrant 1 fragrance substances), (b) fragrance materials having a ClogP of less than 3.0 and a boiling point of 250°C or higher (Quadrant 2 fragrance materials), (c) fragrance materials having a ClogP of 3.0 or higher and a boiling point of less than 250°C (Quadrant 3 fragrance materials), (d) fragrance materials having a ClogP of 3.0 or higher and a boiling point of 250°C or higher (Quadrant 4 fragrance materials), and (e) mixtures thereof.

[0098] The fragrance may preferably be in the form of a fragrance delivery technology. Such delivery technologies further stabilize and enhance the adhesion and release of the fragrance from the washed fabric. Using such fragrance delivery technologies, the lifespan of fragrance release from the washed fabric can also be further extended. Suitable fragrance delivery technologies include fragrance microcapsules, pro-fragrances, polymer-assisted delivery, molecular-assisted delivery, fiber-assisted delivery, amine-assisted delivery, cyclodextrins, starch-encapsulated accords, zeolites and other inorganic carriers, and any combination thereof. Suitable fragrance microcapsules are described in International Publication No. 2009 / 101593.

[0099] The use of starch encapsulation accordion (SEA) technology allows for the modification of fragrance properties by converting liquid fragrances into solids, for example, by adding components such as starch. This effect includes improved fragrance retention during product storage, particularly under non-aqueous conditions. Blooming of the fragrance may be induced upon contact with moisture. Product compounders may also benefit from other optimal timings, as starch allows for the selection of PRM or PRM concentrations that would normally be unusable in the absence of SEA. Another example of the technology involves using other organic and inorganic materials, such as silica, to convert the fragrance from liquid to solid. Suitable SEAs and methods for producing them can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005 / 0003980(A1) and U.S. Patent No. 6,458,754(B1).

[0100] In one embodiment, SEA can be produced by preparing a mixture comprising starch, water, acid, and fragrance, wherein the acid is incorporated into the mixture in an amount sufficient to lower the pH of the starch-water mixture by at least 0.25 units, and by spraying and drying the mixture to form an encapsulated fragrance. In the first step of the fragrance encapsulation process, an aqueous mixture comprising starch, water, fragrance, and acid is prepared. These components can be added in any order, but typically the starch-water mixture is prepared first, and then the acid and fragrance are added successively or together. If they are added successively, the acid may be added before the components for encapsulation. Alternatively, the acid may be added after the components for encapsulation. The starch concentration in the aqueous mixture can be between 5-10% by weight at the lower limit and 60 or even 75% by weight at the upper limit. Generally, the starch concentration in a mixture is 20-50% by weight in aqueous mixtures, and more commonly, approximately 25-40% by weight.

[0101] Suitable starches can be made from raw starch, pregelatinized starch, modified starches derived from tubers, legumes, cereals, and grains, such as corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch, cassava starch, waxy barley starch, waxy rice starch, sweet rice starch, amioca, potato starch, tapioca starch, and mixtures thereof. Modified starches may be particularly suitable for use in the present invention, and examples of modified starches include hydrolyzed starch, acid-treated starch, starch having hydrophobic groups, such as long-chain hydrocarbon (C5 or higher) starch esters, acetate starch, starch octenyl succinate, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, starch esters such as starch octenyl succinate are used.

[0102] The term "hydrolyzed starch" refers to oligosaccharide-type substances typically obtained by acidic and / or enzymatic hydrolysis of starch, preferably corn starch. Starch / water mixtures may preferably contain starch esters. Particularly preferred are modified starches containing hydrophobic groups, or starch derivatives containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups, which are hydrophobic groups or starch derivatives containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups, obtained by cleaving the 1,4 bonds of the starch molecule from the non-reducing end to produce short-chain sugars, thereby providing high oxidation resistance while substantially maintaining the high molecular weight portion of the starch base. The aqueous starch mixture may also contain starch plasticizers. Suitable examples include monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and maltodextrins such as glucose, sucrose, sorbitol, acacia gum, guar gum, and maltodextrins.

[0103] The acid used in the process of the present invention may be any acid. Examples include sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfamic acid, and phosphonic acid. In one embodiment, an organic carboxylic acid is used. In another embodiment, an organic acid containing one or more carboxylic acid groups is used. Examples of suitable organic acids include citric acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, sebacic acid, adipic acid, itaconic acid, acetic acid, and ascorbic acid. In one embodiment, a saturated acid such as citric acid is used.

[0104] Suitable fragrances for encapsulation include HIA fragrances having a boiling point of 275°C or lower, an octanol / water partition coefficient P of 2000 or higher, and an odor detection threshold of 50 ppb or lower, as measured at a standard pressure of approximately 760 mmHg. In one embodiment, the fragrance may have a logP of 2 or higher. Suitable fragrances include 3-(4-t-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, 3-(4-t-butylphenyl)-propanal, 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, 3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanal and 2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal, α-damascone, δ-damascone, iso-damascone, beta-damascenone, 6,7-dihydro-1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-4(5H)-indanone, methyl-7,3-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3-one, 2-[2-(4-methyl-3-cyclohexenyl-1-yl)propyl]cyclopentan-2-one, 2-sec-butylcyclohexanone, and α -The following can be selected from the group consisting of dihydroionone, linalool, ethyllinalool, tetrahydrolinalool, and dihydromyrcenol.

[0105] Suitable beneficial agents can be obtained from Givaudan of Mount Olive, New Jersey, USA; International Flavors & Fragrances of South Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; or Quest of Naarden, Netherlands.

[0106] After forming an aqueous mixture containing starch, water, fragrance, and acid, the mixture is mixed under high shear to form an emulsion or dispersion of the encapsulation components in an aqueous starch solution.

[0107] Next, any suitable technique may be used in the final stage of the process in which the aqueous mixture containing the acid and fragrance is atomized and dried. Suitable techniques include, but are not limited to, those known in the art, including spray drying, extrusion, spray cooling / crystallization, fluidized bed coating, and the use of interphase transfer catalysts to promote interfacial polymerization. Spray efficiency may be increased by methods known in the art, such as using a tall drying tower, lightly oiling the chamber walls, or using pre-conditioned air from which moisture has been substantially removed. The particle size range of the SEA is between 1 micron and 20 microns.

[0108] How to determine logP: For each PRM in the fragrance mixture under test, calculate the log value (logP) of the octanol / water partition coefficient. The logP values ​​for individual PRMs are calculated using the Consensus logP Computational Model, version 14.02 (Linux), available from Advanced Chemistry Development Inc. (ACD / Lab) (Toronto, Canada), yielding dimensionless logP values. The ACD / Labs Consensus logP Computational Model is part of the ACD / Labs model suite.

[0109] In some cases, fragrance particles have a median particle size range of less than 100 micrometers and greater than 5 micrometers. In some cases, fragrance particles have a median particle size range of less than 60 micrometers and greater than 10 micrometers. In some cases, fragrance particles have a median particle size range of less than 50 micrometers and greater than 15 micrometers. The median particle size should be understood as the volume-weighted median particle size. The volume-weighted average diameter is determined according to the method provided in the Test Methods section below.

[0110] Determination of fragrance particle size: Depending on the relative diameter of the particles, one of two methods is used: image analysis if the volume-weighted median particle diameter of the population is approximately 10 μm or larger, or microscopic analysis if the volume-weighted median particle diameter of the population is less than 10 μm. These methods are described in more detail below.

[0111] A. Image Analysis Volume-weighted median particle diameter is calculated from images acquired from samples flowing through flow cells of various sizes. This instrument is specifically designed for image analysis in liquid applications (Occhio FC200S). The sample is pumped through the flow cell via a syringe pump at a very low speed, and images are acquired at set points while the sample passes through the flow cell. The speed matches the camera's frame rate and depends on the behavior of the sample and the particles it contains. Flow cell sizes of 250 μm and 500 μm are available. Pixels are read out and size and shape parameters are calculated using Callisto version 2013.13 software. The size descriptor used is the ISO region diameter.

[0112] The illumination is a red light source, and the illumination is adjusted manually until proper grayscale detection is possible via the grayscale threshold of the particles. The hardware magnification depends on the particle size, for example, 6x or 9x.

[0113] B. Microscopy The volume-weighted median particle size is calculated from the diameters of approximately 900 randomly sampled particles, measured under a microscope. The microscope used was a Leica DM6000B. The microscope magnification was set to 200x. The output obtained after microscopic analysis was (1) a list of detected diameters and (2) the count for each detected diameter size.

[0114] Therefore, the volume (V) of each particle is given by the following formula: V = 4 / 3πr 3 The calculation is performed using the formula [where r is the radius of each detected particle]. Finally, assuming that each particle is spherical, the volume-weighted central particle diameter is calculated (for example, using a spreadsheet created with Microsoft Excel).

[0115] Suitable granular laundry detergent compositions may include detergent components selected from the following: detergents such as anionic detergents, nonionic detergents, cationic detergents, zwitterionic detergents, and amphoteric detergents; polymers such as carboxylate polymers, stain-releasing polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulose polymers, and care polymers; bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide sources, bleaching activators, bleaching catalysts, and preforming peracids; photobleaching agents such as zinc and / or aluminum sulfonated phthalocyanines; enzymes such as proteases, amylases, cellulases, and lipases; zeolite builders; phosphate builders; co-builders such as citric acid and citrates; carbonates such as sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate; sulfates such as sodium sulfate; silicates such as sodium silicate; chlorides such as sodium chloride; whitening agents; chelating agents; colorants; anti-transfer agents; dye fixatives; fragrances; fabric softeners such as silicone and clay; flocculants such as polyethylene oxide; anti-foaming agents; and any combination thereof.

[0116] Suitable granular laundry detergent compositions may have low buffering capacity. Such laundry detergent compositions typically have a pre-alkalinity of less than 5.0 g NaOH / 100 g up to pH 9.5. These low-buffering laundry detergent compositions typically contain low concentrations of carbonate.

[0117] Suitable hues include small molecule dyes, typically classified as blue, violet, red, green, or black, which produce the desired hue either alone or in combination, and which fall under the Color Index (CI) classification of acid, direct, basic, reactive (including its hydrolysis form), or solvent or disperse dyes. Preferred such hues include acid violet 50, direct violet 9, 66, and 99, solvent violet 13, and any combination thereof.

[0118] Many chromatic agents that may be suitable for the present invention, such as those described in International Publication No. 2014 / 089386, are known and described in the art.

[0119] Suitable colorants include phthalocyanine and azo dye conjugates, as described in International Publication No. 2009 / 069077.

[0120] Suitable colorants may be alkoxylated. Such alkoxylated compounds can be produced by organic synthesis, which can produce mixtures of molecules having different degrees of alkoxylation. Such mixtures may be used directly to provide a colorant, or they may undergo a purification step to increase the proportion of the target molecule. Suitable colorants include alkoxylated bisazo dyes and / or alkoxylated thiophenezo dyes, as described in International Publication No. 2012 / 054835 and International Publication Nos. 2008 / 087497 and 2012 / 166768.

[0121] The colorant may have the following structure:

[0122] [ka] During the ceremony, R1 and R2 are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylene oxy, alkyl-capped alkylene oxy, polyalkylene oxy, alkyl-capped polyalkylene oxy, or amide; W is the substituted amino moiety; U is a hydrogen atom, an amino group, or an amino group substituted with an acyl group; Y is a hydrogen or sulfonic acid portion; and Z is either a sulfonic acid moiety or an amino group substituted with a phenyl group.

[0123] The colorant may be incorporated into the detergent composition as part of a reaction mixture resulting from the organic synthesis of dye molecules in an optional purification step. Such a reaction mixture generally contains the dye molecules themselves and may further contain unreacted starting materials and / or by-products of the organic synthesis pathway. Suitable colorants may be incorporated into colorant dye particles as described in International Publication No. 2009 / 069077.

[0124] Granular laundry detergent may contain 1% to 50% by weight of a surfactant system. Suitable detergent surfactants include anionic detergent surfactants, nonionic detergent surfactants, cationic detergent surfactants, zwitterionic detergent surfactants, and amphoteric detergent surfactants. Suitable detergent surfactants may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and derived from petrochemicals or biomaterials.

[0125] Suitable anionic detergent surfactants include sulfonates and sulfate detergent surfactants.

[0126] Suitable sulfonate cleaning surfactants include methyl ester sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, and especially alkylbenzene sulfonates (alkyl benzene sulphonates, especially alkyl benzene sulphonates), preferably C 10~13Examples include alkylbenzene sulfonates. Suitable alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) can be obtained by sulfonating commercially available linear alkylbenzenes (LAB), preferably obtained; suitable LABs include lower 2-phenyl LAB, and other suitable LABs include higher 2-phenyl LABs, such as those supplied by Sasol under the trademark Hyblene®.

[0127] Suitable sulfate detergency surfactants include alkyl sulfates, preferably C 8~18 alkyl sulfates, or mainly C 12 alkyl sulfates.

[0128] Preferred sulfate detergency surfactants are alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, preferably alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, preferably C 8~18 alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, preferably C 8~18 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, and preferably the alkyl alkoxylated sulfates have an average alkoxylation degree of 0.5 to 20, preferably 0.5 to 10, and preferably the alkyl alkoxylated sulfates have an average ethoxylation degree of 0.5 to 10, preferably 0.5 to 5, more preferably 0.5 to 3, and most preferably 0.5 to 1.5 of C 8~18 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates.

[0129] Alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, and alkylbenzene sulfonates may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and may be derived from petrochemical substances or biological substances.

[0130] Other suitable anionic detergency surfactants include alkyl ether carboxylates.

[0131] A suitable anionic detergent surfactant may be in salt form, and suitable counterions include sodium, calcium, magnesium, amino alcohols, and any combination thereof. The preferred counterion is sodium.

[0132] The surfactant system contains a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and an alkylalkoxylated alcohol having an average degree of alkoxylation of 1 to 10. The weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate to alkylalkoxylated alcohol is in the range of 3:1 to 300:1.

[0133] Granular laundry detergent may contain 1% to 30% by weight of a surfactant system. The surfactant system comprises a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and an alkylalkoxylated alcohol having an average degree of alkoxylation of 1 to 10, with the weight ratio of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate to the alkylalkoxylated alcohol being in the range of 10:1 to 200:1.

[0134] At least a portion of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate may be present in the granular laundry detergent in the form of spray-dried particles, the spray-dried particles containing 10% to 80% by weight of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate. Preferably, the spray-dried particles contain 40% to 80% by weight of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.

[0135] At least a portion of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate may be present in the granular laundry detergent in the form of flakes.

[0136] At least a portion of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate may be present in the granular laundry detergent in the form of aggregates.

[0137] The surfactant system may contain alkyl sulfates, preferably C 12 ~C 14It is an alkyl sulfate. Preferably, the weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate to alkyl sulfate is in the range of 2:1 to 60:1.

[0138] Suitable nonionic cleaning surfactants are C8-C 18 Alkyl ethoxylates (e.g., NEODOL® nonionic surfactant sold by Shell); C6-C 12 Alkylphenol alkoxylate (preferably, the alkoxylate unit is an ethylene oxy unit, a propylene oxy unit, or a mixture thereof); with an ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymer, C 12 -C 18 Alcohol and C6-C 12 Selected from the group consisting of alkylphenol condensates (e.g., Pluronic® sold by BASF); alkyl polysaccharides, preferably alkyl polyglycosides; methyl ester ethoxylates; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof.

[0139] Suitable nonionic cleaning surfactants are alkyl polyglucosides and / or alkyl alkoxylated alcohols.

[0140] Suitable nonionic cleaning surfactants include alkylalkoxylated alcohols, preferably C 8~18 Alkylalkoxylated alcohol, preferably C 8~18 Examples include alkylethoxylated alcohols, preferably alkylalkoxylated alcohols having an average alkoxylation degree of 1 to 50, preferably 1 to 30, or 1 to 20, or 1 to 10, and preferably alkylalkoxylated alcohols having an average ethoxylation degree of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 7, more preferably 1 to 5, and most preferably 3 to 7. 8~18 This is an alkylethoxylated alcohol. The alkylalkoxylated alcohol may be linear or branched, and may be substituted or unsubstituted.

[0141] Suitable nonionic cleaning surfactants include secondary alcohol-based cleaning surfactants.

[0142] Suitable cationic cleaning surfactants include alkylpyridinium compounds, alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, alkyl quaternary phosphonium compounds, alkyl tertiary sulfonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.

[0143] A suitable cationic cleaning surfactant is a quaternary ammonium compound having the following general formula. (R)(R1)(R2)(R3)N + X - In the formula, R is a linear or branched chain, substituted or unsubstituted C. 6~18 The alkyl or alkenyl moiety is selected from R1 and R2 independently from each other, from methyl or ethyl moieties, R3 is a hydroxy, hydroxymethyl, or hydroxyethyl moiety, and X is an anion that provides charge neutrality. Preferred anions include halides, preferably chlorides, sulfates, and sulfonates.

[0144] Suitable zwitterionic cleaning surfactants include amine oxides and / or betaines.

[0145] Suitable polymers include carboxylate polymers, dirt-releasing polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers, care polymers, and any combination thereof.

[0146] The composition may contain carboxylate polymers such as maleate / acrylate random copolymers or polyacrylate homopolymers. Suitable carboxylate polymers include polyacrylate homopolymers having a molecular weight of 4,000 Da to 9,000 Da, and maleate / acrylate random copolymers having a molecular weight of 50,000 Da to 100,000 Da, or 60,000 Da to 80,000 Da.

[0147] Another preferred carboxylate polymer is a copolymer comprising: (i) less than 50 to 98% by weight of structural units derived from one or more monomers containing a carboxyl group; (ii) less than 1 to 49% by weight of structural units derived from one or more monomers containing a sulfonate moiety; and (iii) 1 to 49% by weight of structural units derived from one or more monomers selected from ether-bonded monomers represented by formulas (I) and (II):

[0148] [ka] In formula (I), R0 represents a hydrogen atom or a CH3 group, R represents a CH2 group, a CH2CH2 group or a single bond, X represents a number from 0 to 5, except when R is a single bond, where X represents a number from 1 to 5, and R1 represents a hydrogen atom or C1 to C 20 It is an organic group,

[0149] [ka] In formula (II), R0 represents a hydrogen atom or a CH3 group, R represents a CH2 group, a CH2CH2 group or a single bond, X represents a number from 0 to 5, and R1 represents a hydrogen atom or C1 to C 20 It is an organic group.

[0150] The polymer may preferably have a weight-average molecular weight of at least 50 kDa, or even more preferably at least 70 kDa.

[0151] The composition may contain a fouling-releasing polymer. A suitable fouling-releasing polymer has a structure specified by one of the following structures (I), (II), or (III): (I) -[(OCHR 1 -CHR 2 ) a -O-OC- Ar-CO-] d (II) -[(OCHR3 -CHR 4 ) b -O-OC-s Ar-CO-] e (III) -[(OCHR 5 -CHR 6 ) c -OR 7 ] f During the ceremony, a, b, and c are between 1 and 200. d, e, and f are 1-50. Ar is a 1,4-substituted phenylene, sAr is a 1,3-substituted phenylene with SO3Me substituted at position 5. Me is a compound of Li, K, Mg / 2, Ca / 2, Al / 3, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-alkylammonium (alkyl groups are C1-C). 18 Alkyl or C2-C 10 It is a hydroxyalkyl group, or a mixture thereof. R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , and R 6 These are independently H or C1-C 18 Selected from n- or iso-alkyl, R 7 This refers to a straight chain or a branched chain C1-C 18 Alkyl, or linear or branched C2-C 30 Alkenyl, or cycloalkyl group having 5-9 carbon atoms, or C8-C 30 Aryl group, or C6-C 30 It is an arylalkyl group.

[0152] Suitable fouling-releasing polymers are available from Clariant as the TexCare® series polymers, e.g., TexCare® SRN240 and TexCare® SRA300. Other suitable fouling-releasing polymers are available from Solvay as the Repel-o-Tex® series polymers, e.g., Repel-o-Tex® SF2 and Repel-o-Tex® Crystal.

[0153] Suitable anti-re-adhesion polymers include polyethylene glycol polymers and / or polyethyleneimine polymers.

[0154] Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers include (i) a hydrophilic main chain containing polyethylene glycol, and (ii) C4-C 25 Examples of random graft copolymers include hydrophobic side chains selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups, polypropylene, polybutylene, vinyl esters of saturated C1-C6 monocarboxylic acids, C1-C6 alkyl esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and mixtures thereof. Preferred polyethylene glycol polymers have a polyethylene glycol backbone with randomly grafted polyvinyl acetate side chains. The average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol backbone may be in the range of 2,000 Da to 20,000 Da, or 4,000 Da to 8,000 Da. The molecular weight ratio of the polyethylene glycol backbone to the polyvinyl acetate side chains may be in the range of 1:1 to 1:5 or 1:1.2 to 1:2. The average number of graft sites per ethylene oxide unit may be less than 0.02 or less than 0.016, or it may be in the range of 0.010 to 0.018, or it may be less than 0.010 or it may be in the range of 0.004 to 0.008.

[0155] Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers are described in International Publication No. 08 / 007320.

[0156] A suitable polyethylene glycol polymer is Sokalan HP22.

[0157] Suitable cellulosic polymers are selected from alkylcellulose, alkylalkoxyalkylcellulose, carboxyalkylcellulose, alkylcarboxyalkylcellulose, and sulfoalkylcellulose, and more preferably from carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, methylcarboxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

[0158] A suitable carboxymethylcellulose has a carboxymethyl substitution degree of 0.5 to 0.9 and a molecular weight of 100,000 Da to 300,000 Da.

[0159] A suitable carboxymethylcellulose has a substitution degree greater than 0.65 and a blocking degree greater than 0.45, as described, for example, in International Publication No. 09 / 154933.

[0160] Suitable care polymers include cationically modified or hydrophobic modified cellulose polymers. Such modified cellulose polymers can provide anti-friction and dye-locking effects to fabrics during the washing cycle. Suitable cellulose polymers include cationically modified hydroxyethylcellulose.

[0161] Other suitable care polymers include dye lock polymers, such as condensed oligomers produced by the condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin, preferably in a 1:4:1 ratio. A suitable commercially available dye lock polymer is Polyquart® FDI (Cognis).

[0162] Other suitable care polymers include aminosilicones, which can provide fabric texture and fabric shape retention effects.

[0163] Suitable bleaching agents include hydrogen peroxide sources, bleaching activators, bleaching catalysts, preformed peracids, and any combination thereof. Particularly suitable bleaching agents include combinations of hydrogen peroxide sources and bleaching activators and / or bleaching catalysts.

[0164] Suitable sources of hydrogen peroxide include sodium perborate and / or sodium percarbonate.

[0165] Suitable bleaching activators include tetraacetylethylenediamine and / or alkyloxybenzene sulfonates.

[0166] The composition may include a bleaching catalyst. Suitable bleaching catalysts include oxaziridinium bleaching catalysts, transition metal bleaching catalysts, and especially manganese and iron bleaching catalysts. A suitable bleaching catalyst has the following general formula:

[0167] [ka] [In the formula, R 13 [These have a structure selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl, 2-propylheptyl, 2-butyloctyl, 2-pentylnonyl, 2-hexyldecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl, iso-nonyl, iso-decyl, iso-tridecyl, and iso-pentadecyl.]

[0168] A suitable preforming peracid is phthalimide-peroxycaproic acid.

[0169] Suitable enzymes include lipases, proteases, cellulases, amylases, and any combination thereof.

[0170] Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and serine proteases. Examples of suitable neutral or alkaline proteases include subtilisin (EC3.4.21.62), trypsin-type or chymotrypsin-type proteases, and metalloproteases. Suitable proteases include chemically or genetically modified variants of the aforementioned suitable proteases.

[0171] Suitable commercially available protease enzymes from Novozymes A / S (Denmark) include Alcalase®, Savinase®, Primase®, Durazym®, Polarzyme®, Kannase®, Liquanase®, Liquanase Ultra®, and Savinase®. Products sold under the brand names Ultra(registered trademark), Ovozyme(registered trademark), Neutrase(registered trademark), Everlase(registered trademark), and Esperase(registered trademark); products sold by DuPont under the brand names Maxatase(registered trademark), Maxacal(registered trademark), Maxapem(registered trademark), Preferenz(registered trademark) P280, Preferenz(registered trademark) P281, Preferenz(registered trademark) P2018-C, Preferenz(registered trademark) P2081-WE, Preferenz(registered trademark) P2082-EE, and Preferenz(registered trademark) P2083-A / J, as well as Preferenz(registered trademark) series proteases; Properase(registered trademark), Purafect(registered trademark), Purafect Prime(registered trademark), Purafect Ox(registered trademark), FN3(registered trademark), FN4(registered trademark), Excellase(registered trademark), and Purafect OXP(registered trademark); Solvay Products sold by Enzymes under the trade names Opticlean® and Optimase®, and those available from Henkel / Kemira, namely BLAP (the sequence shown in Figure 29 of U.S. Patent No. 5,352,604, having the following mutation S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G159S, hereinafter referred to as BLAP), BLAP R (BLAP having S3T+V4I+V199M+V205I+L217D), BLAP X (BLAP having S3T+V4I+V205I), and BLAP F49 (BLAP having S3T+V4I+A194P+V199M+V205I+L217D) (all available from Henkel / Kemira);Also mentioned is Kao's KAP (Bacillus licheniformis subtilis with mutation A230V+S256G+S259N).

[0172] Suitable proteases are described in International Publication Nos. 11 / 140316 and 11 / 072117.

[0173] The preferred amylase is, from the endogenous AA560α-amylase, preferably the following mutations R118K, D183 * G184 * This leads to the Bacillus species DSM 12649 having N195F, R320K, and / or R458K. Suitable commercially available amylases include Stainzyme®, Stainzyme® Plus, Natalase, Teramyl®, Teramyl® Ultra, Liquezyme® SZ, Duramyl®, Everest® (all Novozymes), and Spezyme® AA, Preferenz S® series amylases, Purastar® and Purastar® Ox Am, Optisize® HT Plus (all DuPont).

[0174] Suitable amylases are described in International Publication No. 06 / 002643.

[0175] Suitable cellulases include those derived from bacteria or fungi. Chemically modified or protein-engineered mutants are also suitable. Suitable cellulases include those derived from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, and Acremonium, such as fungal cellulases produced from Humicola insolens, Myceliophthora thermophila, and Fusarium oxysporum.

[0176] Commercially available cellulases include Celluzyme®, Carezyme®, Carezyme® Premium, Celluclean®, and Whitezyme® (Novozymes A / S), the Revitalez® series enzymes (Du Pont), and the Biotouch® series enzymes (AB Enzymes). Preferred commercially available cellulases include Carezyme® Premium and Celluclean® Classic. Preferred cellulases are described in International Publication Nos. 07 / 144857 and 10 / 056652.

[0177] Suitable lipases include those of bacterial, fungal, or synthetic origin, as well as their variants. Chemically modified or protein-engineered mutants are also suitable. Examples of suitable lipases include those derived from Humicola (synonym Thermomyces), such as H. lanuginosa (T. lanuginosus).

[0178] The lipase may be a “first cycle lipase,” such as the lipase described in International Publication Nos. 06 / 090335 and 13 / 116261. In one embodiment, the lipase is a first washing lipase, preferably a variant of wild-type lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus containing the T231R and / or N233R mutations. Preferred lipases include those sold by Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark) under the trade names Lipex®, Lipolex®, and Lipoclean®.

[0179] Other suitable lipases include Liprl 139 (e.g., described in International Publication No. 2013 / 171241) and TfulLip2 (e.g., described in International Publication Nos. 2011 / 084412 and 2013 / 033318).

[0180] Other suitable enzymes include bleaching enzymes such as peroxidases / oxidases and their variants, including those of plant, bacterial, or fungal origin. A commercially available peroxidase is Guardzyme® (Novozymes A / S). Other suitable enzymes include choline oxidases and perhydrolases, such as those used in Gentle Power Bleach®.

[0181] Other suitable enzymes include pectin lyase sold under the trade names X-Pect®, Pctaway® (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and PrimaGreen® (DuPont), and mannanase sold under the trade names Mannaway® (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and Mannastar® (DuPont).

[0182] Granular laundry detergents contain multiple particles, and these multiple particles include zeolite particles, for example, zeolite particles containing a zeolite builder. In fact, granular laundry detergents may have a composition containing a zeolite builder. A granular laundry detergent composition may contain 0.1% to 5.0% by weight of a zeolite builder, or 3.0% by weight of a zeolite builder. In other words, a granular laundry detergent composition may contain 0.1% to 5.0% by weight of a zeolite builder, or 3.0% by weight of a builder.

[0183] In some examples, the granular laundry detergent composition contains 1.0% to 4.0% by weight of zeolite builder.

[0184] In some examples, the granular laundry detergent composition contains 1.5% to 3.5% by weight of zeolite builder.

[0185] In some examples, the granular laundry detergent composition contains 2.0% to 3.0% by weight of zeolite builder.

[0186] Typical zeolite builders include zeolite A, zeolite P, and zeolite MAP.

[0187] The composition may contain a phosphate builder. The composition may contain 0% to 5% by weight of a phosphate builder, or up to 3% by weight of a phosphate builder. Furthermore, the composition may be substantially free of a phosphate builder. Substantially free means "not intentionally added". A typical phosphate builder is sodium tripolyphosphate.

[0188] The composition may contain carbonates. The composition may contain 0% to 10% by weight of carbonates, or 5% by weight of carbonates. Furthermore, the composition may be substantially free of carbonates. Substantially free means "not intentionally added". Suitable carbonates include sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

[0189] The composition may contain silicates. The composition may contain 0% to 10% by weight of silicates, or 5% by weight of silicates. The preferred silicate is sodium silicate, and particularly preferred is sodium silicate having Na2O, with an SiO2 ratio of 1.0 to 2.8, preferably 1.6 to 2.0.

[0190] The appropriate sulfate is sodium sulfate.

[0191] Suitable brighteners include di-styrene biphenyl compounds (e.g., Tinopal® CBS-X), di-aminostilbenisulfonic acid compounds (e.g., Tinopal® DMS pure Xtra and Blankophor® HRH), pyrazoline compounds (e.g., Blankophor® SN), and coumarin compounds (e.g., Tinopal® SWN).

[0192] Preferred brighteners are sodium 2(4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-naphthol[1,2-d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N-methyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)amino1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)]; 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonic acid disodium, and 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl disodium. A preferred fluorescent brightener is CI fluorescent brightener 260, which may be used in its β or α crystalline form, or in a mixture of these forms.

[0193] The composition may also contain a chelating agent selected from diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylphosphonic acid), ethylenediamine-N'N'-nicuccinic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), and hydroxyethanedi(methylenephosphonic acid). Preferred chelating agents are ethylenediamine-N'N'-nicuccinic acid (EDDS) and / or hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid (HEDP). The composition preferably contains ethylenediamine-N'N'-nicuccinic acid or a salt thereof. Preferably, ethylenediamine-N'N'-nicuccinic acid is of the S,S enantioma type. Preferably, the composition contains 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonic acid disodium salt. Preferred chelating agents can also function as calcium carbonate crystal growth inhibitors, such as 1-hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid (HEDP) and its salts, N,N-dicarboxymethyl-2-aminopentane-1,5-diacid and its salts, 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and its salts, and combinations thereof.

[0194] Suitable color transfer inhibitors include polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyloxazolidone, polyvinylimidazole, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinylpyridinebetaine), poly(vinylpyridine N-oxide), poly(vinylpyrrolidone-vinylimidazole), and mixtures thereof. Suitable commercially available color transfer inhibitors include PVP-K15 and K30 (Ashland), Sokalan® HP165, HP50, HP53, HP59, HP56K, HP56, HP66 (BASF), Chromabond® S-400, S403E, and S-100 (Ashland).

[0195] Suitable silicones include polydimethylsiloxanes and amino-silicones. Suitable silicones are described in International Publication No. 05075616.

[0196] Typically, the particles of the composition can be prepared by any suitable method, such as spray drying, agglomeration, extrusion, and any combination thereof.

[0197] Typically, a suitable spray drying process includes the steps of forming an aqueous slurry mixture and transferring it to a pressure nozzle through at least one pump, preferably two pumps. The aqueous slurry mixture is sprayed into a spray drying tower to dry the aqueous slurry mixture and form spray-dried particles. Preferably, the spray drying tower is a counter-flow spray drying tower, but a parallel-flow spray drying tower may also be suitable.

[0198] Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to cooling, for example, by airlift. Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to particle size classification, for example, by sieving, to obtain a desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the spray-dried powder has a particle size distribution such that the weight-average particle size is in the range of 300 to 500 micrometers, and less than 10% by weight of the spray-dried particles have a particle size greater than 2360 micrometers.

[0199] As described in International Publication No. 2009 / 158162, it may be preferable to heat the aqueous slurry mixture to a high temperature before spraying it into a spray drying tower.

[0200] Anionic surfactants, such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, may preferably be introduced into the spray-drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry mixture: for example, introducing an acid precursor into the aqueous slurry mixture after pumping, as described in International Publication No. 09 / 158449.

[0201] As described in International Publication No. 2013 / 181205, it may be preferable to introduce a gas such as air into the spray drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry.

[0202] When any inorganic components, such as sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate, are present in the aqueous slurry mixture, it may be preferable to pulverize them to a small particle size as described in International Publication No. 2012 / 134969.

[0203] Typically, a preferred flocculation process includes contacting a cleaning component, such as a cleaning surfactant, e.g., linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and / or alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, with an inorganic material such as sodium carbonate and / or silica in a mixer. The flocculation process may also be an in-situ neutralization flocculation process, in which an acid precursor of the cleaning surfactant, such as LAS, is contacted with an alkaline substance such as sodium carbonate and / or sodium hydroxide in a mixer, and the acid precursor of the cleaning surfactant is neutralized by the alkaline substance to form a cleaning surfactant during the flocculation process.

[0204] Other suitable detergent components that can be aggregated include polymers, chelating agents, bleach activators, silicones, and any combination thereof.

[0205] The agglomeration process may be a high, medium, or low shear agglomeration process, and high, medium, or low shear mixers may be used accordingly. The agglomeration process may also be a multi-stage agglomeration process in which two or more mixers, for example, a high-shear mixer combined with a medium or low-shear mixer, are used. The agglomeration process may be a continuous process or a batch process.

[0206] It may be preferable to subject the aggregates to a drying process, such as a fluidized bed drying process. It may also be preferable to subject the aggregates to a cooling process, such as a fluidized bed cooling process.

[0207] Typically, the aggregates are subjected to particle size classification, such as fluidized bed elutriation and / or sieving, to obtain a desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the aggregates have a weight-average particle size in the range of 300 to 800 micrometers, with a particle size distribution such that less than 10% by weight of the aggregates has a particle size of less than 150 micrometers and less than 10% by weight of the aggregates has a particle size of more than 1200 micrometers.

[0208] It is sometimes preferable to recirculate fine powders and oversized aggregates back into the agglomeration process. Typically, oversized particles are subjected to a size reduction process such as grinding and then recirculated back to an appropriate location in the agglomeration process, such as a mixer. Typically, fine powders are recirculated back to an appropriate location in the agglomeration process, such as a mixer.

[0209] It may be preferable that components such as polymers and / or nonionic detergent surfactants and / or fragrances are sprayed onto base detergent particles such as spray-drying base detergent particles and / or agglomerating base detergent particles. Typically, this spraying process is carried out in a rotary drum mixer.

[0210] As described above, the water-soluble unit-dose articles of this disclosure should be suitable for use in a process for washing fabrics. Such a process may include the following steps: a. A process of providing an automatic washing machine equipped with a drum and a drawer, b. A step of adding a water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention to a drawer, drum, or mixture thereof, together with the fabric to be washed in the drum. c. The process of starting the washing operation in an automatic washing machine.

[0211] Preferably, the water-soluble unit dose article is added to enough water to dilute the liquid laundry detergent composition by at least 300 times to produce a cleaning solution, which the fabric to be washed comes into contact with in the washing machine drum. Although not bound by theory, when the water-soluble unit dose article is added to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and releases the internal liquid laundry detergent composition into the water. The liquid laundry detergent composition disperses in the water to produce a cleaning solution.

[0212] Preferably, the washing solution may contain 1 L to 64 L, preferably 2 L to 32 L, and more preferably 3 L to 20 L of water.

[0213] Preferably, the washing solution is at a temperature of about 5°C to about 90°C, preferably about 10°C to about 60°C, more preferably about 12°C to about 45°C, and most preferably about 15°C to about 40°C.

[0214] Preferably, the washing of the fabric in the washing solution takes 5 to 50 minutes, preferably 5 to 40 minutes, more preferably 5 to 30 minutes, even more preferably 5 to 20 minutes, and most preferably 6 to 18 minutes to complete.

[0215] Preferably, the cleaning solution contains 1 kg to 20 kg, preferably 3 kg to 15 kg, and most preferably 5 kg to 10 kg of fabric.

[0216] The cleaning solution may preferably contain water of any hardness ranging from 0 gpg to 40 gpg.

[0217] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

[0218] Dust removal conduit Water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets are not airtight due to their fiber structure. Water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets exhibit air permeability. Water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets are 5m 3 / m 2 / min~200m 3 / m 2 It has air permeability within a minute.

[0219] In some cases, water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets are 50m 3 / m 2 / min~150m 3 / m 2 It has air permeability within a minute.

[0220] In some cases, water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets are 75m 3 / m 2 / min~125m 3 / m 2 It has air permeability within a minute.

[0221] In some cases, water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets are 85m 3 / m 2 / min~105m 3 / m 2 It has air permeability within a minute.

[0222] The air permeability of water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheets can be measured using the standard test method ASTM D737. ASTM D737 describes a calibrated airflow apparatus, a sample clamping device, and means for measuring airflow. This test involves clamping a test specimen of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet (fabric) onto a circular opening in the apparatus and measuring the airflow rate through the fabric. The result is expressed as cubic feet of air (CFM) per minute passing through one square foot of fabric. The air permeability of the fabric is determined by comparing the test results to a standard reference fabric or by performing multiple tests under different pressure conditions. The test is repeated several times to obtain the average result for the sample.

[0223] At least some particles of granular laundry detergent can leak through the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet and thus leak from the water-soluble dose unit article. Figure 1 shows an example in which at least some particles of granular laundry detergent 106 leak through the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet 102 and fall onto the region 114 surrounding the upper sections of the seal jaws 110, 111. In some examples, the region surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw is demarcated by the upper section of the seal jaw, the region includes the bottom seal, the region includes the volume of the region including, for example, the center point of the bottom seal, the volume of the region is elongated along, for example, the direction of the bottom seal (direction Z), and the volume of the region is, for example, 1 cm 3 For example, 5cm 3 For example, 10cm 3 This includes the supernumerator. In some examples, the volume of the region is 125 cm³. 3 It is less than.

[0224] In some cases, when the internal compartment 102 is filled, the dust concentration in region 114 is lower when gas flow is present than when gas flow is absent. In some cases, the dust concentration D1 in region 114 in the presence of gas flow while the internal compartment is being filled is up to 80% of the dust concentration D2 in region 114 in the absence of gas flow while the internal compartment is being filled. In some cases, the dust concentration D1 in region 114 in the presence of gas flow while the internal compartment is being filled is up to 60% of the dust concentration D2 in region 114 in the absence of gas flow while the internal compartment is being filled. In some cases, the dust concentration D1 in region 114 in the presence of gas flow while the internal compartment is being filled is up to 40% of the dust concentration D2 in region 114 in the absence of gas flow while the internal compartment is being filled. D1 and D2 should be measured in the same manner using the same suspended particulate matter measurement method, for example, using a photodetector or aetalometer.

[0225] Figures 1 to 5 further disclose an exemplary first dust removal conduit. The dust removal conduit should be understood as a longitudinal channel.

[0226] Figures 1 to 5 show an exemplary first dust removal conduit having an end 120 adjacent to the bottom seal 108. In some examples, such as those shown in Figures 1 to 2 and Figures 4 to 5, the first dust removal conduit 116 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, but may have any suitable cross-section including square, triangular, circular, elliptical, hexagonal, or a combination thereof.

[0227] In some examples, the first dust removal conduit has a width along direction Y that is between 50 mm and 200 mm.

[0228] In some examples, the width of the first dust removal conduit falls between 100 mm and 180 mm.

[0229] In some examples, the width of the first dust removal conduit falls between 110 mm and 170 mm.

[0230] In some examples, the width of the first dust removal conduit falls between 140 mm and 160 mm.

[0231] The dust collection conduit can be made of metal or plastic.

[0232] In some examples, as shown in Figure 1, the illustrated first dust removal conduit 116 has a longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis has an inclination angle α with respect to direction X. In some other examples, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the illustrated first dust removal conduit 116 is parallel to direction X.

[0233] In some examples, the dust removal conduit includes an inlet connected to an area surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw and an outlet (not shown) connected to the outside of the system, away from the water-soluble dose unit article. The inlet and outlet of the dust removal conduit should be understood as openings that connect the outside and inside of the dust removal conduit.

[0234] In some examples, the first septic pipe directs the gas flow away from the area surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw. In other words, the septic pipe directs or directs the gas flow from inlet to outlet. Directing the gas flow away should be understood as transporting the gas flow. In these examples, the first septic pipe makes it possible to direct at least some of the leaked particles located in the area surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw away from the area surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw.

[0235] As shown in the exemplary systems of Figures 1, 4-5, the first dust removal conduit 116 directs the gas flow away from the region 114 surrounding the upper sections 113 of the seal jaws 110, 111. In the exemplary systems of Figures 1, 4-5, at least some of the leaked particles 107 that may have leaked from the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet 102 and fallen onto the region 114 surrounding the upper sections 113 of the seal jaws 110, 111 enter the first dust removal conduit 116 through the inlet 118 and are directed away from the region 114.

[0236] In some cases, the gas flow is an inert gas flow, for example, the gas flow could be an air flow.

[0237] In some examples, the dust removal conduit includes a fan (not shown) between the inlet and outlet to circulate the internal gas flow from the inlet to the outlet.

[0238] In some examples, the entrance has a rectangular shape, but it may have any suitable shape, including square, triangular, circular, elliptical, hexagonal, or a combination thereof.

[0239] In some examples, the inlet has a rectangular shape, the rectangular shape has a length along the Z direction and a width along the Y direction, the length corresponds to Joe's length along the Z direction, the length is significantly longer than the width, for example more than 10 times the width or more than 20 times the width. The relatively small width can create a Venturi effect that promotes dust removal. The relatively small width can help direct the gas flow precisely towards a desired target area, such as the upper section of the seal joe, the bottom section of the internal compartment, or both.

[0240] In some examples, the dust removal duct comprises a plurality of inlets or nozzles. In some examples, the plurality of inlets are arranged as a rectangular or square matrix, or as a plurality of matrices. In some examples, the arrangement of the inlets is non-uniform, for example, to generate a higher gas flow in the central region of Joe along the Z direction compared to a lower gas flow in the peripheral region of Joe along the Z direction, especially to concentrate dust removal in such a central region. In some examples, the arrangement of the inlets generates a uniform gas flow along Joe. In some examples, such non-uniformity or uniformity can be generated by shaping a single inlet.

[0241] Although not shown, in some examples, the dust removal duct comprises a streamlined nozzle with an inlet at its end, allowing for precise removal of particles located in a specific target zone.

[0242] As shown in the exemplary system of FIG. 3B, the dust removal duct can include a downstream cylindrical portion 116a, 302a (with respect to the gas flow) and an upstream frustoconical portion 116b, 302b proximate to the bottom seal, and the frustoconical portion expands in the upstream direction. In some examples where the inlet is disposed at the upstream end of the duct, this expansion enables the duct to capture a high percentage of the leaking particles. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” should be understood such that, following the gas flow, the upstream side is proximate to the bottom seal and the downstream side is away from the bottom seal. In some examples, the upstream cylindrical portion and the downstream frustoconical portion are assembled, for example, using seals or by welding. In some examples, the upstream portion is a counterform of the bottom section of the water-soluble unit dose article, enabling more precise removal of at least some of the leaking particles. In some examples, the upstream portion is a connection of a plurality of frustoconical portions, and the upstream portion includes a plurality of frustoconical portions.

[0243] In some other examples, the dust removal directs the gas flow away from the bottom section of the internal compartment or directs the gas flow. In these examples, the first dust removal duct enables at least some of the leaking particles located proximal to the bottom section of the internal compartment to be directed away from the bottom section of the internal compartment.

[0244] As shown in the exemplary system of FIG. 2, the first dust removal duct 116 directs the gas flow away from the bottom section 204 of the internal compartment 104. The illustrated bottom section 204 is triangular, but can be any suitable shape including square, triangular, circular, elliptical, hexagonal, or combinations thereof. In the exemplary system of FIG. 2, at least some of the leaking particles 107 that leak through the bottom section 204 from the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet 102 enter the first dust removal duct 116 through the inlet 118 and are directed away from the bottom section 204.

[0245] In some other examples, the dust removal directs or directs the gas flow away from both the region surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw and the bottom section of the internal compartment. This exemplary feature allows for more precise removal of leaked particles. As shown in the exemplary system of Figure 4, the first dust removal conduit 116 has two inlets 118, 119 oriented toward the region surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw 114 and the bottom section 204 of the internal compartment, respectively.

[0246] In some examples, the system further comprises a second dust removal conduit facing a first dust removal conduit. As shown in the exemplary system in Figures 3A-B, the system comprises a second dust removal conduit 302 facing a first dust removal conduit 116, with the ends 120, 304 of the dust removal conduits 116, 302 adjacent to the bottom seal 108 defining a funnel region, and the bottom section 204 fitted into the funnel region. In these examples where the ends of the dust removal conduits define a funnel region, the funnel region allows the dust removal conduits to collect a high percentage of leaked particles falling toward the funnel region in direction D. The second dust removal conduit 302 shown in Figures 3A-3B also comprises an inlet 306. In such an exemplary configuration of the system, at least some of the leaked particles can be removed by the inlets 118, 306 of both dust removal conduits 116, 302, allowing for the removal of at least some of the leaked particles leaking from the two opposite sides of the sheet 102.

[0247] Although not shown in the illustration, in some examples the system includes more than two dust removal conduits, with the conduits positioned around the water-soluble dose unit articles and above the seal jaws.

[0248] The dust removal conduit characteristics of this disclosure should be understood as not being limited to either the first or second dust removal conduit, and they may be applied to both the dust removal conduit or any other additional dust removal conduit.

[0249] In some examples, as shown in Figure 4, the system comprises a dispensing device formed by a hopper 402 partially positioned within a sleeve 406 of a water-soluble unit-dose article 100, the sleeve extending along direction Y. The illustrated hopper 402 has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section, but may have any preferred cross-section including square, triangular, circular, elliptical, hexagonal, or a combination thereof. Although not shown, the dispensing device may be any dispensing device; for example, the dispensing device may be a standard auger screw device.

[0250] As shown in the exemplary system in Figure 4, the hopper 402 defines a planar end 404 which is parallel to plane M and faces the internal compartment 102, and the hopper 402 fills the internal compartment with granular laundry detergent particles through the planar end 404. In other words, the planar end 404 corresponds to the outlet of the hopper 402. In some examples, a plane N parallel to plane M contains the planar end 404, and planes N and M are at a distance 406 from each other, where the distance 406 corresponds to the distance between the seal jaws 110, 111 and the hopper 402. This distance should be understood as the chute length of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet.

[0251] In some examples, a distance of 406 falls between 0.5m and 1.5m.

[0252] In some examples, a distance of 406 falls between 0.75m and 1.25m.

[0253] In some examples, a distance of 406 falls between 0.90m and 1.10m.

[0254] In some examples, a distance of 406 falls between 0.95m and 1.05m.

[0255] As shown in the exemplary system of Figure 5, the bottom seal 108 is contained in plane R, and the end 120 of the first septic pipe 116 proximal to the bottom seal 108 is contained in plane T, where plane R contains the direction of the bottom seal and is perpendicular to the upper section of the seal jaw, and plane T is parallel to plane R and contains the end 120. In other words, planes R and T are perpendicular to plane M. Planes T and R are at a distance 502, which corresponds to the distance between the end of the septic pipe proximal to the bottom seal and the bottom seal.

[0256] Distance 502 falls within the range of 4.5cm to 12.5cm.

[0257] In some examples, the distance 502 falls between 5cm and 12cm.

[0258] In some examples, the distance 502 falls between 6cm and 11cm.

[0259] In some examples, a distance of 502 falls between 8cm and 9cm.

[0260] As shown in the exemplary system in Figure 5, the distance between plane T and plane R is sufficient to allow water-soluble dose units to slide through them (i.e., in direction D) when the seal jaws are open.

[0261] In some examples, such as those shown in Figure 3B, the system may be asymmetric with respect to plane R. In the exemplary system of Figure 3B, the second septic pipe 302 shown is larger than the first septic pipe. In this particular example, the seal jaw 111 is heated, and the second septic pipe 302 directs the gas flow at a higher flow rate than the first septic pipe 116, allowing leak particles and heat generated by the heated seal jaw to be removed from the system by the second septic pipe 302.

[0262] Figure 7 shows an exemplary process 700 for operating a system in accordance with any of the systems described herein. The different blocks included in the process are associated with diagrams showing the corresponding operations, and in the diagrams, reference numerals are not repeated when referring to similar elements.

[0263] In block 710, process 700 includes forming a sleeve 714 that includes a water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet. In this example, the sheet is formed from a single sheet 716 that is sealed onto itself in a sealing device 712 (not described in detail here) to form a longitudinal seal 718. In other examples not shown, the sleeve may be formed from two sheets that face each other and form a sleeve between two parallel longitudinal sleeves.

[0264] In block 720, process 700 includes sealing the sleeve laterally by, for example, maintaining closed seal jaws, such as jaws 110 and 111, across the sleeve to form a bottom seal. Note that by being formed in this way, the bottom seal has similar characteristics to the top seal. In some examples, the seal jaws are maintained in contact with the nonwoven sheet for between greater than 50 ms and less than 600 ms to form the seal. In some examples, the seal jaws are maintained in contact with the nonwoven sheet for between greater than 100 ms and less than 400 ms to form the seal. In some examples, the seal jaws are maintained in contact with the nonwoven sheet for between greater than 100 ms and less than 300 ms to form the seal. In some examples, the seal jaws are maintained in contact with the nonwoven sheet for between greater than 230 ms and less than 280 ms to form the seal. Such time ranges allow for forming a reliable seal (e.g., through application of sufficient heat) while avoiding damage to the seal (e.g., due to application of excessive heat).

[0265] In block 730, process 700 includes filling the internal compartment with granular laundry detergent in accordance with the formation of the bottom seal. Such filling can be carried out, for example, by a hopper 732 including a cylindrical or tubular portion 734 with a sleeve formed around it. Filling may be carried out by other means. It should be noted that such filling results in the diffusion of fine particles, such as those generated by fragrance particles, which may remain as fragments, particularly in the area forming the upper seal, and affect the melting or fusion of the nonwoven sheet forming the seal or weld. In some examples, the process further includes allowing the granular laundry detergent to settle within the internal compartment by sliding the filled internal compartment over the open seal jaws and then keeping the seal jaws open for at least 50 ms before forming the upper seal.

[0266] In block 740, process 700 includes opening the seal jaws and sliding the filled internal compartment between and beyond the opened seal jaws. Note that the jaws should be considered closed when stationary and pressed against each other, for example, when sandwiching a sleeve, but should be considered "open" when they are "not closed," i.e., while they are open, while they are closed, or while they remain open. Note that the sliding between the jaws may be carried out by gravity facilitated by the weight of the granular laundry detergent. The distance corresponding to the displacement or movement of the sleeve during sliding corresponds to the distance between the upper seal and the bottom seal.

[0267] In block 750, the process includes forming an upper seal by sealing the sleeve laterally by keeping the seal jaws closed across the sleeve in response to the filled internal compartment sliding over the open seal jaws, in accordance with the present disclosure. In some examples, the sleeve remains stationary, i.e., does not slide, during the sealing of the upper and bottom seals.

[0268] In block 760, process 700 includes removing at least a portion of the zeolite particles of the granular laundry detergent from the bottom section of the internal compartment using a first dust removal device 116. In some examples, in block 760, process 760 includes removing at least a portion of the zeolite particles of the granular laundry detergent from the area surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw. In some examples, in block 760, process 700 includes removing at least a portion of the zeolite particles of the granular laundry detergent from the area surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw and from the bottom section of the internal compartment.

[0269] In some examples, such removal involves directing the gas flow at gas velocities between 0.2 m / s and 10 m / s.

[0270] In some examples, the gas velocity falls between 1.5 m / s and 8.5 m / s.

[0271] In some examples, the gas velocity falls between 2.5 m / s and 7.5 m / s.

[0272] In some examples, the gas velocity falls between 4 m / s and 6 m / s.

[0273] In some cases, such removal is 135m 3 / h~460m 3 This includes directing the gas flow by the flow rate contained within / h.

[0274] In some cases, the flow rate was 175 m³ 3 / h~420m 3 It is contained within / h.

[0275] In some cases, the flow rate was 215 m³ 3 / h~380m 3 It is contained within / h.

[0276] In some cases, the flow rate is 255 m 3 / h~345m 3It is contained within / h.

[0277] In some cases, the heated jaw reaches temperatures between 180°C and 250°C during seal formation. In some cases, the heated jaw reaches temperatures between 190°C and 230°C during seal formation. In some cases, the heated jaw reaches temperatures between 200°C and 220°C during seal formation. The temperature range affects the time required to form the seal and the degradation of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet, or the lifespan of jaw components such as the non-stick material, non-stick coating, or removable layer mentioned above.

[0278] In some embodiments, a process such as process 700 shown in Figure 7 further includes replacing a removable layer after forming at least 5,000 filled water-soluble unit-dose articles. This can be done using a system including a removable layer, for example, as shown in Figure 6. In some embodiments, the process includes replacing a removable layer after forming at least 10,000 filled water-soluble unit-dose articles. In some embodiments, the process includes replacing a removable layer after forming at least 12,000 filled water-soluble unit-dose articles. In some embodiments, the process includes replacing a removable layer less than 4 hours after forming at least 5,000 filled water-soluble unit-dose articles. In some embodiments, the process includes replacing a removable layer less than 4 hours after forming at least 10,000 filled water-soluble unit-dose articles. In some embodiments, the process includes replacing a removable layer less than 4 hours after forming at least 12,000 filled water-soluble unit-dose articles.

[0279] In some other embodiments, process 700 further includes sealing a filled water-soluble unit-dose article contained in block 750 using a jaw to form an upper seal, and cutting the upper seal along the longitudinal direction of the seal (in other words, lateral to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve) with the sealing jaw. Such simultaneous sealing and cutting has been found to be particularly efficient.

[0280] Another exemplary process 800 is shown in Figure 8. Process 800 includes blocks 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750, as described in the context of process 700, with blocks 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750 being included in block 810. In block 810 of the example shown in Figure 8, process 800 includes sequential removal during process 800. In the exemplary process 800 of Figure 8, such simultaneous removal 810, as well as the execution of any one of blocks 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750, was found to be particularly efficient. That is, at least a portion of the leaking particles are removed from the system before they damage the seal jaws.

[0281] In some other examples, block 760 is executed periodically during a time interval, which is between 0.6 seconds and 1.5 seconds.

[0282] In some examples, the removal time interval falls between 0.75 seconds and 1.25 seconds.

[0283] In some examples, the removal time interval falls between 0.90 seconds and 1.10 seconds.

[0284] In some examples, the removal time interval falls between 0.95 seconds and 1.05 seconds.

[0285] In some cases, such circular removal has been found to be particularly energy-efficient while ensuring satisfactory removal of particles.

[0286] Another exemplary process 900 shown in Figure 9 includes blocks 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, and 760, as described in the context of process 700 in Figure 7, with block 760 being performed after block 730 and before block 740. In exemplary process 900, such an order of filling the internal compartment with granular laundry detergent followed by removal in a dust removal conduit was found to be particularly efficient. The particles of granular laundry detergent are more likely to leak after filling due to the force they exert on the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet as they fall and accumulate at the bottom of the internal compartment. In other words, removal is performed after filling the internal compartment with granular laundry detergent.

[0287] Although not shown in the diagram, in some examples, block 760 is executed after block 740 and before block 750.

[0288] Although not shown, in some examples the dust removal conduit is movable and, for example, the dust removal conduit can rotate around a water-soluble unit-dose article (i.e., around the direction of the sleeve). In some examples the process further includes rotating the dust removal conduit around a water-soluble unit-dose article before removal, where the rotation is an angle between 360° / N, and N is the number of dust removal conduits in the system.

[0289] In some examples, the rotation is an angle that falls between 1° and 360°.

[0290] In some examples, the rotation is an angle that falls between 45° and 325°.

[0291] In some examples, the rotation is an angle that falls between 90° and 270°.

[0292] In some examples, the rotation is an angle that falls between 135° and 225°.

[0293] In some examples, rotation is performed simultaneously with removal.

[0294] In some examples, the rotation is performed periodically during time intervals that fall between 0.6 and 1.5 seconds.

[0295] In some examples, the rotation time interval falls between 0.75 seconds and 1.25 seconds.

[0296] In some examples, the rotation time interval falls between 0.90 seconds and 1.10 seconds.

[0297] In some examples, the rotation time interval falls between 0.95 seconds and 1.05 seconds.

[0298] In some examples, the dust removal conduit is movable along direction X, allowing adjustment of the distance between the dust removal conduit and the bottom seal (i.e., the distance between plane T and plane R in Figure 5). In some examples, the process further includes moving the dust removal conduit proximal to the bottom seal before removal and moving the dust removal conduit away from the bottom seal after removal. In some examples, the process further includes moving the dust removal conduit close to the bottom seal such that the end of the dust removal conduit adjacent to the bottom seal defines a funnel region.

[0299] The features of the dust removal conduit described herein can be applied to dust removal conduits that perform removal during the process.

[0300] It should be noted that this explanation provides different ranges for different dimensions, such as temperature, time, length, or the quantity of goods being manufactured. Combinations of such ranges, particularly combinations of different narrow ranges, have been found to progressively increase the reliability of the goods and the effectiveness of their manufacture.

[0301] All documents referenced herein, including any patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, and any patent applications or patents on which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. No reference to any document shall be deemed prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, nor shall any such invention be taught, suggested, or disclosed, either alone or in combination with any one or more other references. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in any document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document shall prevail.

[0302] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. It is a system, A water-soluble unit-dose article comprising a water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet and a granular laundry detergent, wherein the water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet is molded to form a partially sealed internal compartment, and the water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet is 5 m ３ / m ２ / min~200m ３ / m ２ A water-soluble unit-dose article having air permeability within a minute, wherein the granular laundry detergent is contained within the internal compartment, the water-soluble nonwoven fiber sheet contains a plurality of fibers, the fibers contain a polyvinyl alcohol polymer, the granular laundry detergent contains a plurality of particles, and the plurality of particles contain zeolite particles, A seal jaw, comprising at least one heated seal jaw, wherein the bottom seal of the internal compartment is sandwiched between the jaws, and the jaws are in contact with the bottom seal, and a non-stick coating. A system comprising: a first dust removal conduit for directing the gas flow away from the area surrounding the upper part of the seal jaw, or away from the bottom section of the internal compartment.

2. The aforementioned deconduit pipe, The system according to claim 1, which directs the gas flow away from the region surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw and away from the bottom section of the internal compartment.

3. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising a second dust removal conduit facing the first dust removal conduit, wherein the end of the dust removal conduit adjacent to the bottom seal defines a funnel region, and the bottom section is fitted into the funnel region.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-adhesive coating comprises a polymer material.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet has a chute length that is between 0.5 m and 1.5 m, and the length is measured between the seal jaw and the dispensing device.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of particles include zeolite particles in an amount of 0.1% to 5.0% by weight.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of particles further comprises sodium carbonate particles.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of particles further comprises starch-encapsulated accord particles.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the end of the septic tube adjacent to the bottom seal is at a distance from the bottom seal between 4.5 cm and 12.5 cm.

10. A process for operating the system described in any one of claims 1 to 9, Forming a sleeve containing the aforementioned water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet, To form the bottom seal, the sleeve is sealed laterally by maintaining the seal jaws closed across the sleeve, In accordance with forming the bottom seal, the granular laundry detergent is filled into the internal compartment, Opening the seal jaws and sliding the filled internal compartment between and beyond the opened seal jaws, In response to the filled internal compartment sliding over the open seal jaw, the sleeve is sealed laterally by maintaining the seal jaw closed across the sleeve to form an upper seal, and A process comprising using the dust removal device to remove at least a portion of the zeolite particles of the granular laundry detergent from at least one of the region surrounding the upper section of the seal jaw and the bottom section of the internal compartment.

11. The process according to claim 10, wherein the removal includes directing the gas flow at a gas velocity between 0.2 m / s and 10 m / s.

12. The process according to claim 10, wherein the removal includes directing the gas flow at a flow rate contained between 50 mm and 200 mm.

13. The process according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein removal is performed continuously during the process.

14. The process according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the removal is performed during a time interval that is between 0.6 seconds and 1.5 seconds.

15. The process according to claim 14, wherein the removal is performed after the internal compartment has been filled with the granular laundry detergent.

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