Unitized Dose Pouch Seal Region Perforation for Complete Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unitized dose pouches often have decreased water solubility at seal regions due to multiple film layers, leading to undissolved film residues after use, which affects consumer experience.

Innovation Solution

Modifying the seal regions of unitized dose pouches with perforations or indentations after the films are joined but before separation into individual pouches, improving dissolution and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple water-soluble films are sealed together to form compartments, then the pouch structure is formed and can contain composition, but the seal regions have decreased water solubility due to multiple film layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouch structure integrityVSAvoidwater solubility at seal regions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal region is segmented into multiple discrete layers (first seal layer and second seal layer) that can be independently modified. Perforations are applied specifically to the first seal layer while the second seal layer remains intact, allowing the structure to maintain integrity while improving water solubility through selective dissolution of the perforated layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the pouch are given different properties: the compartment regions have intact multi-layer film structure for containment, while the seal regions have perforated first seal layers for improved water solubility. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of structural integrity and dissolution performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If seal regions have multiple film layers, then the pouch can be properly sealed and contain composition, but undissolved film residues remain after use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidundissolved film residues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The first seal layer is pre-modified with perforations before the pouch is used. This preliminary action ensures that when the pouch contacts water, the perforated seal region dissolves first and more completely, preventing the formation of undissolved film residues on fabrics while the second seal layer maintains containment during storage and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If modifications are made to seal regions after films are joined, then water solubility is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater solubilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first seal layer is modified with perforations immediately after sealing the films together, while the second seal layer is left unmodified. This preliminary modification approach allows the pouch to be manufactured in a single continuous process without requiring post-manufacturing modifications to individual pouches, thereby improving water solubility while controlling manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10294445B2Process for making unitized dose pouches with modifications at a seal region

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Processes for making unitized dose pouches that have improved water solubility due to modifications at a seal region of the pouch, such as perforations. Unitized dose pouches having modifications at a seal region. Process of treating a fabric.