Packaging methods using a support plate

Abstract

A continuous process for producing water-soluble vessels, comprising the steps of: a) thermoforming a water-soluble film material to form receiving chambers in a shaping station; b) filling the formed receiving chambers with a filling selected from the group of the washing or cleaning compositions, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bodycare compositions, agrochemical assistants, adhesives, surface treatment compositions, building materials, dyes or foods in a filling station; and c) finishing the filled receiving chambers to the end product in at least one further finishing station. The receiving chambers formed in step a), in the course of the process, are transported by means of a support plate which has an orifice for each of the receiving chambers, so that the receiving chamber projects through the support plate freely through the orifice.

1 . A continuous process for producing water-soluble vessels, comprising the steps of: 
 a) thermoforming a water-soluble film material to form receiving chambers in a shaping station;    b) filling the formed receiving chambers with a filling selected from the group of washing and cleaning compositions, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bodycare compositions, agrochemical assistants, adhesives, surface treatment compositions, building materials, dyes and foods in a filling station; and    c) finishing the filled receiving chambers to the end product in at least one further finishing station;    characterized in that the receiving chambers formed in step a), in the course of the process, are transported by means of a support plate which has an orifice for each of the receiving chambers, so that the receiving chamber projects through the support plate freely through the orifice.    
   
   
       2 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the water-soluble film material used in step a) comprises a water-soluble polymer.  
   
   
       3 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the filling is introduced in liquid or solid form in step b).  
   
   
       4 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the filling is effected by means of a moving filling station which moves in transport direction of the receiving chambers during a filling operation and, after this filling operation has ended and before the next filling operation has started, returns to its original position.  
   
   
       5 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the finishing in step c) comprises the sealing of receiving chambers and/or the isolation of the receiving chambers.  
   
   
       6 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the orifice of the support plate is not more than 50% larger than the maximum cross-sectional area of the receiving chamber projecting freely through the orifice.  
   
   
       7 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the support plate has an orifice adapted to the size of the receiving chamber formed in step a).  
   
   
       8 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the support plate has an orifice adapted to the shape of the receiving chamber formed in step a).  
   
   
       9 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the support plate has a surface coating.  
   
   
       10 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support plate is a continuous conveyor belt.  
   
   
       11 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the maximum diameter of the orifices of the support plate is preferably between 1 and 30 cm.  
   
   
       12 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the film material is polyvinyl alcohol.  
   
   
       13 . A continuous process for producing water-soluble vessels, comprising the steps of: 
 a) thermoforming a water-soluble film material by the action of a reduced pressure to form receiving chambers in a shaping station;    b) partially filling the formed receiving chambers with a filling comprising an active substance selected from the group consisting of washing and cleaning compositions, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bodycare compositions, agrochemical assistants, adhesives, surface treatment compositions, building materials, dyes and foods in a filling station; and subsequently filling with an active substance selected from the group consisting of washing and cleaning compositions, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bodycare compositions, agrochemical assistants, adhesives, surface treatment compositions, building materials, dyes and food; and    c) finishing the filled receiving chambers to the end product in at least one further finishing station;    characterized in that the receiving chambers formed in step a), in the course of the process, are transported by means of a support plate which has an orifice for each of the receiving chambers, so that the receiving chamber projects through the support plate freely through the orifice.    
   
   
       14 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the receiving chamber is covered with a further film without permanently bonding the film to the packaging film forming the receiving chamber.  
   
   
       15 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the filling is a melt.  
   
   
       16 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the filling is a solid selected from the group consisting of a powder, granule, extrudate and compactate.  
   
   
       17 . A continuous process for preparing water-soluble vessels, comprising the steps of: 
 a) thermoforming a water-soluble film material to form receiving chambers in a shaping station;    b) filling a part-volume of the formed receiving chambers with a filling selected from the group consisting of washing and cleaning compositions, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bodycare compositions, agrochemical assistants, adhesives, surface treatment compositions, building materials, dyes and foods in a filling station;    c) sealing the filled part-volume of the receiving chambers;    d) at least partly filling the residual volume of the receiving chambers with a filling selected from the group consisting of washing and cleaning compositions, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bodycare compositions, agrochemical assistants, adhesives, surface treatment compositions, building materials, dyes and foods in a filling station;    e) sealing the at least partly filled residual volume of the receiving chamber; and    f) isolating the receiving chambers;    characterized in that the receiving chambers formed in step a), in the course of the process, are transported by means of a support plate which has an orifice for each of the receiving chambers, so that the receiving chamber projects through the support plate freely through the orifice.    
   
   
       18 . The process according to  claim 17 , in which steps d) and e) are repeated.  
   
   
       19 . The process according to  claim 17 , in which the fillings used in steps b) and d) are different.  
   
   
       20 . The process according to  claim 17 , in which the filling used in step b) is a solidifying liquid.