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& (64) Title: WATER-SOLUBLE CAPSULE
(57) Abstract: A water soluble capsule comprising a water-soluble film encapsulating a composition, wherein the film comprises
‘colour former which is susceptible to changing colour when irradiated, A method of imparting colour to a water soluble capsule,
and a coloured water soluble capsule obtainable by this method, aso form part ofthe invention,
wo
(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
6
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26)
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International Bureau.
18 March 2010 (18.03.2010)
sernational Patent Classification
CLD 17/04 (2006.01) C11 11/00 (2006.01)
CHP 3700 2006.01)
umber:
PCTIGR2009/051064
sal Applicat
International Filing Date:
26 August 2009 (26.08.2009)
Filing Language: Fnglish
Publication Language: Fuglish
08165375
(09057852
10 September 2008 (10,09,2008)
2 April 2009 (02.04.2008)
GB
Applicant (for ol! designated States excep US): DATA
ASE LTD. (—/GBh; Unit 3, Wheldon Road, Widnes,
(Cheshire WAS SFW (GB)
Invyentor/Applicant (for US only): JARVIS, Anthony
[GBIGB}; DataLave Lid., Unit 3, Wheldon Road, Widnes,
‘Cheshire WAS SFW (GB),
‘Agent: GILL JENNINGS & EVERY LLP; Broadgate
House, 7 Eldon Street, London EC2M 7LH (GB).
Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
ind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
NTE A000 0 A A
(10 International Publication Number
WO 2010/029330 Al
AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BI, BR, BW, BY, BZ,
CA, CH, CL: CN; CO, CR! CU, CZ. DE, DK, DM, DO,
DZ, EC, FF, EG, FS, Fl, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT,
HIN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, 18, 3P, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP,
KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD,
ME, MG, Mik, MN, MW,'MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI
(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
kind of regional prosection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG. ZM,
ZW), Furasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TD,
‘TMD, Furopean (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, F
FS, Fl, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, I, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,
MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, SM,
TR), OAPI (BF, BI, CF, CG, Cl, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG)
Published:
vith international search report (Art. 21(3))
before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
claims and to be republished in the évent of receipt of
‘amendments (Rate 48.20h))WO 20107029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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1
WATER-SOLUBLE CAPSULE.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water-soluble capsule comprising a water-
soluble film, and methods for forming it.
Background of the Invention
Detergent compositions for the machine washing of laundry are provided in
many forms, including free-flowing powders and liquids. Detergents in the form of
compressed powder tablets are also commonly available. These are advantageous
because they are easier to handle and dispense into the wash load. They also
allow for accurate dosing of detergent.
More recently water-soluble capsules of detergent composition in liquid and
other forms have been introduced. Water-soluble capsules generally comprise a
detergent composition encapsulated within water-soluble film, such as polyvinyl
aleohol. Encapsulation allows for handling of the product without direct contact with
the detergent composition. This is especially advantageous when the detergent
composition includes aggressive cleaning components which would irritate the skin
on direct contact, such as enzymes and bleaching agents.
Liquid detergents also offer potential aesthetic benefits in so far as they can
be coloured e.g. to denote a particular function or fragrance.
However, a problem encountered with coloured liquids is that fairly high
levels of colourant are needed which can be costly, and can lead to staining of the
fabrics to be washed.
Furthermore, colouring of the fluid can be problematic in so far as the
colouring agent, e.g. dye or pigment used can be unstable in the liquid.
A further problem is that the capsule film can be visually unappealing to
some consumers. This can be overcome by adding traditional colorants such as
dyes and pigments to the film, as detailed in EP1405800A1
It is an object of the present invention to provide a water-soluble capsule
containing a composition, which overcomes at least some of the above mentioned
problems. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a water-soluble
capsule with improved visual properties and a reduction in colourant-related staining
problems.WoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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It has been found that coloured capsules can be made by incorporating into
them energy activated colour change agents.
Summary of the Invention
‘A first aspect of the invention is a water-soluble capsule comprising a water-
5 soluble film encapsulating a composition, wherein the film comprises a colour
former which is susceptible to changing colour when irradiated.
A second aspect of the invention is a method of imparting colour to a water-
soluble capsule according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein at least part of
the film is irradiated to change its colour.
10 A final aspect of the invention is a coloured water-soluble capsule,
obtainable by the method according to the second aspect of this invention.
Description of the Invention
The energy activated colour formers suitable for use in the present invention
include diacetylenes, charge transfer agents, leuco dyes, photochromics,
15 molybdates, dehydration agents and the like. Suitable examples of these
chemistries are taught in WO2006129086 A1, WO2007045912 A1, WO2002068205
‘A1, WO2006129078 A1, WO2004043704 A1, WO2002074548 A3, WO2006018640
‘A1, WO2007063339 AS and WO2006051309 A1
Particularly preferred are diacetylenes, charge transfer agents and leuco
20 dyes. Charge transfer agents and leuco dyes are particularly preferred when used
in combination with a photoacid generating agent. The most preferred colour
formers are diacetylenes. Preferred colour formers are those that are colourless
un-activated but become visually coloured on activation.
‘Any diacetylene or combination of diacetylene and other substances capable
25 of undergoing a colour change reaction upon exposure to light may be used in the
present invention.
Diacetylene compounds are substances which include at least one
-C
diacetylene group, i.e.
Particularly preferred are diacetylene
compounds that exhibit a polychromic colour change reaction. These compounds
30 are initially colourless but on exposure to suitable light, such as a ultra-violet light,
undergo a colour change reaction to produce a blue colour. Certain diacetylenes in
their blue form can then be exposed to further light such as near-infrared light,
which converts the blue form into a magenta, red, yellow and green form.WoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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Specific examples of diacetylene compounds may be used in the present
invention are given in the published patent application number WO2006/018640.
Further examples include those represented by the following general
‘structures:
, atobx vivLne
or
Le"
A +
\
10 or,
or,
i
15 wherein,
X and Y are divalent straight-chain or branched alkylene type groups (-CH2-
Jn Wherein n = 0 to 24, or a divalent phenylene type group (-CeH.-)y wherein n = 0 to
1 or a combination of both types;
Q and V, if present, are divalent bridging groups such as -S-, -O-, -NHR’-
20 wherein FR’ is hydrogen or alkyl, amide, ester or thioester groups, carbonyl or
carbamate;
Rit and R2 are H or alkyl;WoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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Aand T are divalent groups that can either be an alkylene or phenylene type
such as X or Y, or a bridging type such as Q or V, or a combination of both types, X
or Y that additionally comprises a Q or V group;
Z is a divalent group such as X or Q or a combination of both, X that
additionally comprises a Q group, or Z can be not present, and n is 2 to 20,000,000.
Groups X and Y are optionally substituted, preferably at the a, B or y position
with respect to the diacetylene group. For instance, there may be an a-hydroxy
group, as shown in the formula below:
The diacetylene may be symmetrical or non-symmetrical.
Q and V are optionally substituted with groups such as amine, alcohol, thiol
or carboxylic acid. Both Q and V may be present, or alternatively, just Q.
Where R1 and R2 in the above compounds are alkyl, they may be straight or
branched chain and may additionally comprise other functional groups known in
organic chemistry such as alcohol, amine, carboxylic acid, aromatic ring systems
and unsaturated groups such as alkenes and alkynes.
Groups R1, R2, Q, V, X and Y may comprise ionic groups, which can be
anionic or cationic. Examples include sulphate groups (-SO;-) and ammonium
groups. The ionic groups can have any suitable counterion.
Further diacetylene compound examples are diacetylene carboxylic acids
and derivatives thereof. A particularly preferred diacetylene carboxylic acid
compounds are 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid and 10,12-docosadiyndioic acid and
their derivatives thereof. Further examples include: 5,7,-dodecadiyndioic acid, 4,6-
dodecadiynoic acid, §,7-eicosadiynoic acid, 6,8-heneicosadiynoic acid, 8,10-
heneicosadiynoic acid, 10,12-heneicosadiynoic acid, 10,12-heptacosadiynoic acid,
12,14-heptacosadiynoic acid, 2,4-heptadecadiynoic acid, 4,6-heptadecadiynoic
acid, 5,7-hexadecadiynoic acid, 6,8-nonadecadiynoic acid, 5,7-octadecadiynoic
acid, 10,12-octadecadiynoic acid, 12,14-pentacosadiynoic acid, 2,4WoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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pentadecadiynoic acid, 5,7-tetradecadiynoic acid, 10,12-tricosadiynoic acid 2,4-
tricosadiynoic acid, and derivatives thereof. Diacetylene alcohols and diol
compounds and derivatives thereof are also preferred, examples include: 5,7-
dodecadiyn-1,12-diol, 5,7-eicosadiyn-1-ol, 2,4-heptadecadiyn-1-ol, 2,4-hexadiyn-
1,6-diol, 3,5-octadiyn-1,8-diol, 4,6-decadiyn-1,10-diol, 2,7-dimethyl-3,5-octadiyn-2,7-
diol, 14-hydroxy-10,12-tetradecadiynoic acid. Others include 1,6-diphenoxy-2,4-
hexadiyne, 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne, 1,3-heptadiyne, 1,3-hexadiyne and 2,4-
hexadiyne.
‘A combination of different diacetylenes can also be employed. A particularly
preferred combination is that of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid or 10,12-
docosadiyndioiac acid and derivatives thereof and 2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol, 10,12-
pentacosadiynoic acid can produce blue, red and yellow. 2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol can
produce a cyan colour. Activating 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid to yellow and 2,4-
hexadiyn-1,6-diol to cyan simultaneously gives rise to green.
A diacetylene compound that is ‘activatable’, i.e. has a first solid form that is
relatively unreactive to light, but upon ‘activation’ is transformed into a second form
that is relatively reactive to light and is thus capable of undergoing a colour change
reaction to create a visible image, has particular utility in the present invention.
Without being limited by theory the activation could be a re-crystallisation, crystal
form modification, co-crystal combination or a melting/re-solidification process.
Reversibly activatable diacetylenes that can flip between unactivated and
activated forms in response to or removal of a stimulus also form part of the present
invention.
Par
solidification activation are colourless but become blue on exposure to light,
ularly preferred diacetylenes are those that after initial melting and re-
particularly UV light. The most preferred diacetylenes compounds are carboxylic
acids and derivatives thereof where:
R-C=C-
either R and/or R’ comprises a COX group,
RY
where X is: -NHY, -OY, -SY, where Y is H or any group comprising at least one
carbon atom.
Particularly preferred still are derivatives in which the carboxylic acid group
has been functionalised into an amide, ester or thioester. These can be easilyWoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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made by reacting a diacetylene carboxylic acid with a chlorinating agent such as
oxalyl chloride and then reacting the diacetylene acid chloride with a nucleophilic
compound such as an amine, alcohol or thiol. A particularly preferred diacetylene
carboxylic acid compound is 10,12-docosadiyndioic acid and derivatives thereof
such as amides, esters, thioesters and the like. Especially particularly preferred
10,12-docosadiyndioic acid derivatives are amides. A particularly preferred still
10,12-docosadiyndioic acid amide derivative is the propargylamide in which at least
one, preferably both carboxylic acid groups have been transformed into the
propargylamide, as shown below:
Q °
f™ o\
Propargylamides are made by reacting carboxylic acids with propargylamine,
Other preferred amines that can be used to create suitable amides include:
dipropargylamine and 1,1-dimethylpropargylamine.
The activatable diacetylene is generally used together with a NIR light
absorbing agent, which is a compound that absorbs light in the wavelength range
700 to 2500 nm.
ANIR light source, such as a NIR fibre laser, is used to heat the film only in
the areas where the image is required. A UV light source, such as a germicidal
lamp, is then used to flood the film with UV light. However, the diacetylene
‘compound only undergoes a colour change reaction to create an image in the areas
which were initially exposed to NIR light. The areas of the film unexposed to NIR
light undergo a negligible colour change reaction, remain essentially colourless, and
are stable to background radiation. A thermal print head may be used to initiate the
heat-based pre-activation step.
Specitic examples of NIR light absorbing agents include:
i. Organic NIR absorbing agents
ii, __ NIR absorbing ‘conductive’ polymersWoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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ili, Inorganic NIR absorbing agents
iv. Non-stoichiometric inorganic absorbing agents.
Particularly preferred NIR absorbing agents are those that have essentially
no absorbance in the visible region of the spectrum (400 to 700 nm) and thus give
rise to coatings that appear visibly colourless.
Organic NIR absorbing agents are known as NIR dyes/pigments. Examples
include but are not limited to: families of metallo-porphyrins, metallo-thiolenes and
polythiolenes, metallo-phthalocyanines, aza-variants of these, annellated variants of
these, pyrylium salts, squaryliums, croconiums, amminiums, diimoniums, cyanines
and indolenine cyanines.
Examples of organic compounds that can be used in the present invention
are taught in US6911262, and are given in Developments in the Chemistry and
Technology of Organic dyes, J Griffiths (ed), Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1984, and
Infrared Absorbing Dyes, M Matsuoka (ed), New York: Plenum Press, 1990.
Further examples of the NIR dyes or pigments of the present invention can be found
in the EpolightTM series supplied by Epolin, Newark, NU, USA; the ADS series
supplied by American Dye Source Inc, Quebec, Canada; the SDA and SDB series
supplied by HW Sands, Jupiter, FL, USA; the Lumogen™ series supplied by BASF,
Germany, particularly Lumogen™ 1R765 and R788; and the Pro-Jet™ series of
dyes supplied by FujiFilm Imaging Colorants, Blackley, Manchester, UK, particularly
Pro-Jet™ 830NP, 900NP, 825LDI and 830LDI. Further examples are taught in
wo08/050153.
Examples of NIR absorbing ‘conductive’ polymers include PEDOT such as,
the product Baytron® P supplied by HC Starck. Further examples are taught in
woos/12442.
Examples of inorganic NIR absorbing agents include copper (I!) salts.
Copper (I!) hydroxy! phosphate (CHP) is particularly preferred. Further examples
are taught in WO05/068207.
Examples of non-stoichiometric inorganic absorbing agents include reduced
indium tin oxide, reduced antimony tin oxide, reduced titanium nitrate and reduced
zine oxide. Further examples are taught in WO05/095516. Reduced indium tin
oxide is particularly preferred in combination with a 1550 nm to 2500 nm laser.WoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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It is particularly preferred if the absorption profile of the NIR absorbing agent
approximately matches the emission wavelength(s) of the NIR light source
employed.
Other light absorbing agents that can be used, instead of the NIR absorbing
agent include UV (120 to 400 nm), visible (400 to 700 nm) and mid-infrared (~10.6
microns) light absorbing agents. Examples includes dyes/pigments, UV absorbers
and Iriodin type agents.
Charge transfer agents may be used together with a diacetylene in the
present invention. These are substances that are initially colourless but react with
protons (H*) to produce a coloured form. Charge transfer agents that form part of
the present invention include compounds known as carbazoles and suitable
examples are described in WO2006/051309. Further charge transfer agents known
to those skilled in the art such as leuco dyes can also be used. Charge transfer
agents are usually used in combination with other substances such as light
absorbing agents which can be wavelength specific, heat generating agents, acid
generating agents and the like.
A particularly preferred combination for use in this invention is a diacetylene
such as 10,12-pentacosaidiynoic acid, or 10,12-docosadiyndioic acid (or a
derivative thereof), to give blue and red, with a charge transfer agent that generates
green.
Charge transfer agents are compounds that in the neutral state are coloured
but upon acquiring a charge, usually upon protonation become form highly coloured
complexes. Carbazoles are suitable charge transfer agents, particularly N-ethyl
carbazole.
Leuco dyes are colourants that change colour on response to a change in
environment. Typically leuco dyes are colourless within an alkaline or neutral
environment but become coloured within an acidic environment. Suitable leuco
dyes are described in “Dyestuffs and Chemicals for Carbonless Copy Paper’
presented at Coating Conference (1983, San Francisco, CA pp 157-165) by
Dyestuffs and Chemicals Division of Ciba-Geigy Corp Greenboro, NC.. Leuco dyes
are understood to be colourless in neutral or alkaline media, but become coloured
when they react with an acidic or electron accepting substance. Suitable examples
include compounds such as triphenyimethanephthalide compounds, azaphthalideWoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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‘compounds, isoindolide phthalide compounds, vinylphthalide compounds,
spiropyran compounds, rhodamine lactam compounds, lactone and dilactone
compounds, benzoyl leuco methylene blue (BLMB), derivatives of bis-(p-di-
alkylaminoary!) methane, xanthenes, indolyls, auramines, _chromenoindol
compounds, pyrollo-pyrrole compounds, fluorene compounds, and fluoran and
bistluoran compounds, with fluoran compounds being preferred. Particularly
preferred commercial leuco dye products include the Pergascript range by Ciba
Speciality Chemicals, Basel, Switzerland and those by Yamada Chemical Co. Ltd,
Kyoto, Japan. Others include those made by Nisso Chemical Co GmbH, a
subsidiary of Nippon Soda Co. Ltd. Tokyo, Japan.
Charge transfer agents and leuco dyes are usually used in combination with
an acid generating agent, particularly a photoacid generating agent. Examples of
suitable compound include ‘onium’ types such as sulphonium and iodonium
compounds.
The present invention can be used to write text, characters, logos,
trademarks, devices and other brand identification patterns onto a water-soluble
capsule. Any suitable source of light/radiation can be used. The radiation can be
monochromatic or broadband, laser or non-coherent. The method may involve
imaging with a laser, which may be controlled by an IBM compatible computer.
Imaging may alternatively be performed using a non-coherent energy source
through a mask. Using non-contact energy to print images onto capsules prevents
contact damage to the capsule which can occur with traditional printing processes.
Suitable lasers for use in image generation include UV, visible, NIR and CO.
lasers. The laser can have an emission wavelength is the range 120 nm to 20
microns. It can be a pulsed or continuous wave laser, an excimer, Nd:YAG, diode
or diode array type.
The skilled person can select a suitable dye, or combination of dyes,
according to the eventual colours required. The marking laser intensity, wavelength
and/or time of exposure can all be varied to ensure that an appropriate colour is
produced. W02006/114594 describes an apparatus which includes a laser diode
and galvanometer, and is suitable for aligning the laser beam onto the colour
forming composition in the present invention. WO2007/039715 furthermore
describes a method of inkless printing. As in these publications, the colour of theWoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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colour-forming composition in this invention is selectable according to the fluence
level of the irradiation at a desired point.
The colour former may be included in the film in the form of a laser-
imageable composition, which comprises the colour former and a binder.
Further additives may include NIR absorbers, dispersing agents, acid-
generators, UV absorbers/stabilizers, processing aids, co-solvents, whitening
agents, foam suppressants etc.
The binder can be any known to those skilled in the art. Suitable examples
include acrylics, methacrylics, urethanes, cellulosics such as nitrocelluloses, vinyl
polyers such as acetates and butyrals, styrenics, polyethers, polyesters. The binder
system can be aqueous or organic solvent based. Examples of the binder systems
that can be employed include the Texicryl range supplied by Scott-Bader, the
Paranol range supplied by ParaChem, the Pioloform range supplied by Wacker-
Chemie, the Eivacite range supplied by Lucite Intemational Inc., the Joncryl range
supplied by Johnson Polymers, and the WitcoBond range supplied by Baxenden
Chemicals.
‘As used herein, the term “coloured” refers to a formulation (for instance, the
film or encapsulated composition, as the case may be) which appears coloured by
virtue of colourants. The colourants may be conventional pigments or dyes, or
alternatively, activated colour formers as detailed above. The term “transparent" is
intended to mean any substance which is capable of letting light pass therethrough.
"Transparent" may be used interchangeably with “visibly clear’,
Examples of water-soluble capsules suitable for use in the present invention
are described in WO03037741. The film is typically made from PVA, or is a water
soluble cellulosic film. Typically, the film is transparent.
The composition within the capsule may be a fluid, liquid, gel, soft-solid,
paste, powder or granules. It may a laundry composition such as a pre-wash agent,
main wash agent, co-wash agent, fabric conditioner, freshener and the like. It may
altematively be a composition suitable for use in dishwashing for cleaning or
treating crockery and the like. The composition is typically a unit dose of detergent.
‘The composition may itself be transparent.
In one embodiment a capsule according to the invention contains a liquid
detergent composition. When a liquid detergent composition is used, it is preferredWoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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that the composition is essentially non-aqueous. However, compositions may be
used which contain substantial amounts of water, provided that this water is in a
form where in its chemical activity is reduced (e.g. as water of crystallisation or in
combination with a solvent such that its vapour pressure is reduced), such that the
soluble film does not dissolve prematurely.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a water-soluble capsule
comprising a transparent water-soluble film containing a transparent fluid, the
capsule comprising a base wall portion inclined relative to one or more further wall
Portions, and the film comprising a coloured portion and a non-coloured portion and
the coloured portion having a sufficiently large area in relation to the area of the
non-coloured portion such that the non-coloured portion and the fluid appear
coloured.
The effect of this arrangement is that only part of the capsule need be
coloured in order to achieve a substantial coloured effect, i.e. so that more than the
coloured part of the capsule appears coloured to the naked eye. Thus, the fluid can
be made to appear coloured by colouring only part of the film thus using a reduced
level of colourant (as compared with the levels required if colourants were to be
added to the fluid). This reduces the cost - financial and environmental - and the
likelihood of colourant-related staining of wash fabrics. At the same time, the film
itself also appears coloured thereby enhancing its visual characteristics.
‘The present invention also has utility in pharmaceutical applications. The
encapsulated composition may comprise, for instance, one or more
pharmaceutically active ingredients.
The film may additionally comprise other agents such as traditional dyes and
pigments, energy absorbing agents, and the like.
The energy used to activate the colour former may be non-coherent or laser
radiation. The radiation may be monochromatic or broadband. The radiation is
typically UV, visible, near-infrared or mid-infrared radiation (such as that provided by
a CO; laser). The radiation can have a wavelength in the region 120 nm to 20
microns. The laser can be pulsed or continuous wave,
Energy absorbing agents can be used to match the wavelength of energy
used to activate the colour change reaction. These include, for example, UV
absorbers for UV radiation, dyes and pigments for visible radiation and near infraredWoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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absorbers for near-infrared radiation. Suitable examples of near-infrared absorbers
include copper (I!) hydroxyl phosphate, reduced indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide
and coated micas thereof, conductive polymers and organic type near infrared
absorbers such as _N,N,N',N’-tetrakis(4-dibutylaminophenyl)-p-benzoquinone
bis(iminium hexafiuoroantimonate).
Examples
Example 1: PVA film comprising 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid.
A PVA film was made comprising 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid 5% by
weight.
The film was then used to produce capsules that further comprised the
following detergent formulation.
Nonionic Surfactant (alcohol ethoxylate) | 20.00
Linear Dodecylbenzene Sulphonic Acid | 20.00
Fatty acid 17.00
Monopropylene glycol 22.35
Monoethanolamine 9.65
Water, perfume, minor ingredients 17.00
The capsules were imaged/coloured as follows:
1. A broadband UV lamp was used to turn the capsule blue, followed by
treatment with broadband near infrared light which subsequently turned it red.
2, A 266nm UV laser linked to an IBM compatible pe was use to write
text, which could be read by the human eye, draw logos and devices on the film.
Example 2: PVA film comprising 10,12-docosadiyndioic acid proparayidiamide
A PVA film was made comprising 10,12-docosadiyndioic acid
propargyldiamide (5% by weight) and a NIR absorbing dye (0.25%).
The film was then used to produce capsules that further comprised the
detergent formulation shown in Example 1
The capsules were imaged/coloured as follows:
1. The capsule was heat activated using a NIR fibre laser.WoO 2010/029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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2. Abroadband UV lamp was used to tum the capsule blue only in those
parts that were initially heat activated, followed by treatment with broadband near
infrared light which subsequently tumed it red.WO 20107029330 PCT/GB2009/051064
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CLAIM:
1. A water-soluble capsule comprising a water-soluble film encapsulating a
composition, wherein the film comprises a colour former which is susceptible to
changing colour when irradiated.
2, A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the colour former is a diacetylene, a
charge transfer agent or a leuco dye.
3. A capsule according to claim 2, wherein the capsule further comprises a
near infrared absorbing agent.
4. Acapsule according to claim 3, wherein the near-infrared absorbing agent is
copper (Il) hydroxide phosphate, a reduced metal or mixed metal oxide, a
conductive polymer or an organic dye/pigment.
5. A capsule according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the film further
comprises an acid generating species.
6. A capsule according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition is
transparent.
7. A capsule according to any preceding claim, wherein the composi
nis a
fluid, liquid, gel, soft-solid, structured foam, paste, powder or comprises granules.
8. A capsule according to claim 7 wherein the composition is a detergent
formulation.
9. A capsule according to any preceding claim, wherein the water-soluble film
is transparent.
10. A method of imparting colour to a water-soluble capsule as defined in any
preceding claim, wherein at least part of the water-soluble film is irradiated to
change its colour.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the colour former is initially
colourless and becomes coloured when the film is irradiated
12, Amethod according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the water-soluble film is
irradiated with radiation with a wavelength in the region 120 nm to 20 microns.
13. — Amethod according to claim 12, wherein the radiation is provided by a laser.
14, A method according to claim 12, wherein the radiation is provided by a non-
coherent energy source.
15. A coloured water-soluble capsule obtainable by a method according to any
of claims 10 to 14.INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
PCT/@B2009/051064
Ine ETT 708 163/00 = c1np11/00
‘Acconing seatonl Patent Casiicaton (PC) oc to bot nara) lasstetonandi8C
8. FIELOS SEARCHED
‘Minimum cocanetaton sated (Caaaicalin syle fohowed by SasaTsion apTEOR)
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EPO-Internal, WPI Data
‘C.DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
‘Catego9/ | Catone cocurent wihindcaton, whee ajpropate, oe rlevant passages
atrartto cam No
x US 2003/103905 Al (RIBI HANS 0 [US]) 1-3
5 dune 2003 (2003-06-05)
claims 1,2,16
x WO 02/068205 A (SHERWOOD TECHNOLOGY LTD 1,10,13,
(GB); KHAN NAZIR [6B]) a5
6 September 2002 (2002-09-06)
cited in the application
example 13
A GB 2 227 570 A (CIBA GEIGY AG [CH]) 1-15
1 August 1990 (1990-08-01)
claims 1-14
A Us 5 095 134 A (LIU KOU-CHANG [US]) 1-15
10 March 1992 (1992-03-10)
claim 1
X] Fuimersocmans are ists inthe conteuaten ot 0x6. Dk] se pte tanay annex
Ponomuneenee ag scares eect serpent
cca ca egal sa ave anne Cie anac ernie Sete ee
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ing date ‘canrcl De considered novel or carps by conse) 10
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Sich conesnaion beng cevaus oe pean Sled
praia ing date bt By
ine "A docienart member of he same pate tani
-* docu pied ri
‘hor ba he pty
Date ore acl complain ora tarataral sean Date a maling tha ROT aT ep
17 December 2009 04/01/2010
Tare andmatg ears of he SAT haan oe
Evopean Patent Otoe. 8. 818 Pateisan 2
Pesan
Fae (1-70) 900-3086 Richards, Michael
Fam POTARTO poems ms OH TO)
page 1 of 2INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
International eppicaion No
PcT/6B2009/051064
‘{Gorincaion) DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
category
(Caen of doesent, win naeson wre apecpi, othe relevant passages
Pelevant teen No,
A
WO 2006/051309 A (DATALASE LTD [GB]; WYRES
CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY [6B]; KHAN NAZIR [GB])
18 Nay 2006 (2006-05-18)
cited in the application
claims 1-15
DATABASE WPI Week 198624
Thomson Scientific, London, GB; AN
1986-15311
xp002560897
& JP 61 086933 A (LION CORP)
2 May 1986 (1986-05-02)
abstract
abstract
WO 89/02832 A (SIEMENS AG. [DE])
6 April 1989 (1989-04-06)
claims 1-4; figure 1
WO 2006/018640 A (SHERWOOD TECHNOLOGY LTD
(G81; KHAN NAZIR [GB]; WYRES CHRISTOPHER
ANTHO) 23 February 2006 (2006-02-23)
page 3, line 1 - line 14
WO 2007/057859 A (PROCTER & GAMBLE [US];
WAHL ERROL HOFFMAN [US]; BROWN JODI LEE
{us}; S) 24 May 2007 (2007-05-24)
page 11, line 11 - line 12
EP 1 405 800 A (UNILEVER PLC [68];
UNILEVER NV CNLI)
7 April 2004 (2004-04-07)
cited in the application
claims 1-19
1-15
1-15
7.8
7,8
page 2 of 2INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
: Intemational aplication No
Information on patent amily members
PCT/@B2009/051064
Patent document Publication Patent tray Publication
‘ed in saareh report ate members) ‘ate
Us 2003103905 Al 05-06-2003 NONE
15-10-2005
Wo 02068205 A 06-09-2002 AT 306400 T.
DE 60206602 D1 17-11-2005
DE 60206602 T2 04-05-2006
EP 1365923 Al 03-12-2003
B 2374561 A 23-10-2002
JP 2004524188 T 12-08-2004
US 2003186001 Al 02-10-2003
28-06-1991
6B 2227570 A 01-08-1990 cH 677756 AS
DE 4001856 Al 02-08-1990
FR 2642362 Al 03-08-1990
oP. 2235686 A 18-09-1990
9206951 Al 30-04-1992
10-03-1992 Wo
US 5095134 A
25-07-2007
WO 2006051309 A 18-05-2006 EP 1809484 Al
JP 2008519998 T 12-06-2008
Us 2009023585 Al 22-01-2009
uP 61086933 = A 02-05-1986 NONE
wo 8902832 A 06-04-1989 DE 3731835 AL 30-03-1989
EP 0380510 Al 08-08-1990
a. 2628499 B2 09-07-1997
oP. 3500269 T 24-01-1991
5157412 A 20-10-1992
WO 2006018640 A 23-02-2006 EP 1787165 AL 23-05-2007
oP 4331238 B2 16-09-2009
JP 2008511015 T 10-04-2008
US — 2008286483 Al
20-11-2008
NONE
WO 2007057859 A
24-05-2007
€P 1405800 A 07-04-2004 AT
345284 T 15-12-2006
‘Sen PETSR ETO Ga PD RT