Water-Softening Method

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of water-softening using a water-softening product and products useful in such methods. The invention describes such products and processes wherein a change to the product occurs during the water-softening process.

Description

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following embodiments.

Actives in Sachet	Amt	Wt. %	Amt	Wt. %	Amt	Wt. %	Amt	Wt. %	Amt	Wt. %	Amt	Wt. %
Acrylic acid	5.00	42.7	6.00	56.1	3.84	29.0	4.80	28.6	5.00	39.3	4.00	34.8
homopolymer
Citric Acid	2.85	24.4	3.00	28.0	5.43	41.0	6.79	40.4	2.85	22.4	2.50	21.7
Phosphonate	0.10	0.9	0.15	1.4	0.10	0.8	0.10	0.6	0.10	0.8	0.10	0.9
chelating agent
Cation Exchange	3.00	25.6	1.10	10.3	3.00	22.6	4.00	23.8	4.00	31.4	4.00	34.8
Resin
Water absorbent	0.25	2.1	0.25	2.3	0.80	6.0	0.90	5.4	0.70	5.5	0.70	6.1
polymer
Esterquat	0.50	4.3	0.20	1.9	0.09	0.68	0.20	1.2	0.085	0.67	0.20	1.7
Total (grams)	11.7		10.7		13.26		16.79		12.74		11.5

The sachet was made from Polypropylene nonwoven sheets Lutrasil™ available from Freudenberg Nonwovens. The sachets were made in accordance with the technical teachings of WO 98/36128 and EP 380127A.

Ten sachets were held in a bag made from the following material and stored in a standard non-waxed cardboard box. In addition ten identical sachets were stored in the same standard non-waxed cardboard box but without being packed in the bag. Storage conditions were at 30° C. at 70% relative humidity for 6 weeks. After storage the sachets were inspected for visible degradation. The sachets not stored in the plastic bag had visibly deteriorated.

Packaging Description

Bags were made from reeled polythene film, 380 mm wide.

			THICKNESS
	GENERIC NAME	MANUFACTURER	(μm)
	Polyethylene	ASPLA, Torrelavega	60
	LDPE-LLDPE	(Santander, Spain)

PERFORMANCE	Value
1.1	Tensile strength (Machine Direction)	>20 N/MM2
1.2	Coefficient of friction:-
	Internal	<0.25
	External	<0.25
1.3	Barrier properties
	Oxygen transmission	4000 cc/m2/24 hr
	Water vapour transmission	20 grs./m2/24 hr

Supplier—Aspla of Snatander Spain

Claims

1. A method of softening water, wherein hard water is contacted with a container containing one or more water-softening agents able to bind calcium ions, the container having an enclosing wall wherein at least part, of the wall is permeable to the water and to components dissolved therein characterised in that the product is stored and removed prior to use from packaging having a moisture vapour transmission rate of less than 30 g/m2/day.

2. A method according to claim 2 wherein least one water-softening agent is substantially water-insoluble.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method is a method used in a ware washing machine.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one water-softening agent is a cation exchange resin.

5. A water-softening product comprising a container containing one or more water-softening agents, the container having an enclosing wall which in at least part, of the wall is permeable to water and to components dissolved in, the container being held within a package having a moisture vapour transmission rate of less than 30 g/m2/day.

6. A water-softening product as claimed in claim 5 wherein at least one water-softening agent is water-soluble.

7. A water-softening product according to claim 5 wherein the container is a flat container.

8. A water-softening product according to claim 7 wherein the container wall comprises a sheet.

9. A water-softening product according to claim 8 wherein the sheet is a woven or non-woven material.

10. A water-softening product according to claim 5 according to claim 5 wherein the packaging is formed from a sheet of flexible material.

11. A method of providing improved cleaning in a clothes washing machine, wherein a product containing a substantially water-insoluble water softening agent, having a wall permeable to water and to metal ions therein but impermeable to the agent is located in the machine such that hard water flows through the product, thereby effecting the softening of the water in the machine characterised in that the product is stored and removed prior to use from packaging having a MVTR of less than 30 g/m2/day.

12. A water-softening product according to claim 5 wherein the container is a sachet.