US4972017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rinse soluble polymer film composition for wash additives
Assignee: Clorox Co
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Filing: 1988-11-10
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Granted: 1990-11-20
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Expires: 2008-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A polymeric film material for the rinse release of wash additives comprises a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and an alkyl cellulose. A metalloid oxide cross-linking agent is present in an amount sufficient to sharply reduce the solubility rate of the film blend in an alkaline wash, yet allow dissolution in a less alkaline rinse. Optionally, a hydrophobic cationic species is included to further reduce the dissolution rate in the wash pH. The films remain intact during normal wash cycles and over a range of typical water temperatures, then rapidly dissolve in the rinse. The film can be used to microencapsulate an additive, or made into a water-soluble pouch, or as a soluble seal for a pouch or container.
Inventors
- 👤 William L. Smith
- 👤 Edward J. Kaufmann
- 👤 Barry A. Sudbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:43
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D17/00; C11D17/04; C11D17/041; C11D17/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An article of manufacture comprising (a) a wash additive; (b) a water-soluble polymeric film material substantially surrounding the additive, the film comprising a blend of polyvinyl alcohol, having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 g/mole and a degree of hydrolysis of between about 70-98%, with an alkyl cellulose having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 g/mole, a ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to alkyl cellulose being between about 1:5 to 5:1; and (c) a cross-linking agent, present in an amount sufficient to substantially insolublize the film in a first solution yet allow the solubilization thereof in a second solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An article of manufacture comprising (a) a wash additive; (b) a water-soluble polymeric film material substantially surrounding the additive, the film comprising a blend of polyvinyl alcohol, having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 g/mole and a degree of hydrolysis of between about 70-98%, with an alkyl cellulose having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 g/mole, a ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to alkyl cellulose being between about 1:5 to 5:1; and (c) a cross-linking agent, present in an amount sufficient to substantially insolublize the film in a first solution yet allow the solubilization thereof in a second solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said first solution is a wash solution and said second solution is a rinse solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl cellulose is primarily methyl.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the cross-linking agent is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, telluric acid, arsenic acid, precursors thereof, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the cross-linking agent is incorporated into the film blend.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the film is in the form of a pouch with a quantity of the additive sealed therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the film encapsulates the additive to form a plurality of microcapsules.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the additive is dispersed throughout the film.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of releasing a wash additive into a rinse portion of a wash cycle substantially independently of a wash and a rinse water temperature range, comprising (a) surrounding an additive with a selected amount of a polymeric material comprising a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 g/mole and a degree of hydrolysis between about 70 and 98%, and an alkyl cellulose having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 g/mole, a ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to alkyl cellulose being between about 1:5 and 5:1, the amount of polymeric material being selected to remain substantially insoluble in a wash solution yet rapidly solubilize in a rinse solution; (b) adding the surrounded additive to a wash solution having a first pH, and maintaining a cross-linking agent in contact with the polymeric material substantially throughout at least a wash portion of said wash cycle, the cross-linking agent being present in an amount sufficient to insolubilize the polymeric material in said first pH but allow the solubilization thereof in a rinse solution having a second pH; and (c) replacing said wash solution with said rinse solution wherein the polymeric material dissolves.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of releasing a wash additive into a rinse portion of a wash cycle substantially independently of a wash and a rinse water temperature range, comprising (a) surrounding an additive with a selected amount of a polymeric material comprising a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 g/mole and a degree of hydrolysis between about 70 and 98%, and an alkyl cellulose having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 g/mole, a ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to alkyl cellulose being between about 1:5 and 5:1, the amount of polymeric material being selected to remain substantially insoluble in a wash solution yet rapidly solubilize in a rinse solution; (b) adding the surrounded additive to a wash solution having a first pH, and maintaining a cross-linking agent in contact with the polymeric material substantially throughout at least a wash portion of said wash cycle, the cross-linking agent being present in an amount sufficient to insolubilize the polymeric material in said first pH but allow the solubilization thereof in a rinse solution having a second pH; and (c) replacing said wash solution with said rinse solution wherein the polymeric material dissolves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the alkyl cellulose is hydroxybutylmethylcellulose having a weight average molecular weight of between about 26,000 and 115,000 g/mole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the cross-linking agent is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, telluric acid, arsenic acid, precursors thereof, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the cross-linking agent is present in the polymeric film material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 and further including maintaining a hydrophobic cationic material in contact with the polymeric material in said wash solution.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said first pH is greater than about 9.5 and said second pH is less than about 9.5.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-19 | 1994-05-21 | 1994-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-19 | 1998-05-21 | 1998-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-19 | 2002-05-21 | 2002-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |