(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date WO 2017/165400 Al 28 September 2017 (28.09.2017) P O PCT

(51) International Patent Classification: (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every CUD 17/04 (2006.01) CUD 11/00 (2006.01) kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, CUD 7/26 (2006.01) AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DJ, DK, DM, (21) International Application Number: DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, PCT/US2017/023385 HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JP, KE, KG, KH, KN, (22) International Filing Date: KP, KR, KW, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, 2 1 March 2017 (21 .03.2017) MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, (25) Filing Language: English RU, RW, SA, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, (26) Publication Language: English TH, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW. (30) Priority Data: 62/3 11,792 22 March 20 16 (22.03 .20 16) US (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, (71) Applicant: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, [US/US]; 1281 Win Hentschel Boulevard, West Lafayette, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, IN 47906-4182 (US). TJ, TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, (72) Inventors: CAMERON, Andrew; 1281 Win Hentschel LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, Boulevard, West Lafayette, IN 47906-4162 (US). LUO, SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, Xuan; 1281 Win Hentschel Boulevard, West Lafayette, IN GW, KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). 47906-4182 (US). KAPOOR, Harshit; 1281 Win Hetschel Boulevard, West Lafayette, IN 47906-4182 (US). Published: (74) Agent: BARTOL, Michael, C ; Bose McKinney & Evans — with international search report (Art. 21(3)) LLP, 111 Monument Circle, Suite 2700, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (US).

o© o- (54) Title: DETERGENT PODS WITH SOY COVERING FILM (57) Abstract: A detergent pod with a covering film formed from soy protein isolate ("SPI"). The SPI film can be produced in a wide range of solubility and strength and is biodegradable and eco-friendly. The inventive film in certain embodiments may also have a yellowish, soy milk color which may be beneficial to help reduce children from mistaking the pods detergent pods candy. The S instant disclosure has specific applicability for detergent pods and single use dishwashing detergent pods. DETERGENT PODS WITH SOY COVERING FILM

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/311,792, filed March 22, 2016, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention relates to detergent pods, which are known per se. The films currently used to seal such pods are typically made from polyvinyl alcohol ("PVA"), which can be damaging to the environment. [0003] These teachings provide a detergent pod with a covering film formed from soy protein isolate ("SPI"), which forms the outside coating of the pod. These SPI films allow for a wider range of properties such as solubility and strength. The soy also gives the film a yellowish, soy milk color which may be beneficial to help reduce the number of youth mistaking the pods for candy. Although, this disclosure is directed to a pod, it should be understood that the same principle can be used for single dose dishwashing detergents.

Existing Products : [0004] Common detergents currently in the market consist of liquid and powdered detergent. Pods currently exist, such as P&G's 2-in-l Pearls, pods and Fairy Non-bio pods. [0005] According to the Mintel database, about 17.5% of home laundry detergents in the market are pods or capsules. Although this number is significant, it accounts for only a few existing pods that capture this entire sector, the leader being P&G. [0006] None of the known detergent pods have incorporated a soy based or other non toxic based coating for the pods. Benefits/Advantages : [0007] Consumers value both effectiveness and convenience. The soy based film taught herein primarily focuses on effectiveness of the pod as a detergent complemented by its more bio-friendly nature and secondarily focus on convenience for homes with kids and pets, college students and for people of all age groups. [0008] The coating is configured to be made of a completely eco-friendly soy based coating, reducing risk of exposure in households with small children and pets. As recent case studies and reports have shown, children under the age of six and pets in households have been mistaking existing pods for candy or something to snack on. Using a soy based gelatin coating reduces risk for potential poisoning from currently used toxic coatings. [0009] The use of soy in the pod product adds to the effectiveness of the detergent as a whole due to soy's antibacterial properties. This not only improves the quality of the detergent but also kills the viruses and bacteria making the clothes healthier for use. [0010] According to the Mintel database, about 55% of household users prefer detergent pods and about 26% are concerned about safety when it comes to handling or dealing with detergent pods and our product aims towards reducing the concerns of these people and bring these numbers down.

DESCRIPTION

List of Process Parameters and a Flowchart of the Process Critical Process Parameters • Mix water, soy protein Isolate and Glycerol to make a solution. • Using Sodium Hydroxide change the solution to a PH of 10. • Heat for 20 mins at 75°C. • Using cheesecloth, strain the solution to get rid of any inconsistencies in the mixture. • Then spread solution and let dry for approximately 20 hours to get the film. • Multiple ways to close the film:

[0011] Lay an entire film on an ice tray and then add the detergent into each ice cube on the film. Brush the sides of each ice cubes with the film solution and lay the second film onto the ice tray. [0012] Two small portions of the larger film were used and some film solution was used to seal off three edges of the pod. The pods were then stuffed with detergent and the last edge was sealed off using the same film solution. The edges were then pressed upon to make sure they were sealed off properly and allowed to dry.

[0013] As is known, compositions of traditional detergent are mainly polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which causes damage to the sea environment after it is discharged from sewage. [0014] In the product taught herein, PVA is replaced with soy protein, which is biodegradable and does not damage the eco-system. While having properties of the PVA films such as good flexibility and solubility, soy protein also maintains the same cost compared to PVA.

[0015] Soy protein is a critical ingredient in this product. It keeps other chemicals together and allows the plastic film to eventually form. If soy protein were replaced with any other ingredients, it is believed that the product could not be successfully made, or it would be difficult.

[0016] This disclosure teaches soy protein isolate (SPI) as the main ingredient. The inventive film contains around 50% of SPI. Glycerol and potentially other chemicals can be used to make the film, but the main ingredient is the SPI. The other chemicals can be added in small amounts to change characteristics of the film.

[0017] The product described in this disclosure was made using tooling such as basic lab equipment. For large scale production, retooling would be necessary to bring the product to industry standards and specifications with accuracy, where better manufacturing units and facilities, storages and equipment come into play. [0018] In the market today, PVA films are made using a similar process to make SPI films, so it is envisioned that production facilities that are currently configured for PVA films could be readily configured to produce SPI films.

Bench/Lab Production :

[0019] Soy protein isolate is weighed and mixed with appropriate amount of water inside a beaker. Additional materials such as NaOH and Glycerin are then added into the beaker to increase the flexibility and basicity of the film. Heat the solution to 70-75 degrees Celsius while stirring for 20 mins. Finally, pour the solution on a Teflon sheet evenly and wait for 12 hours to let it dry up. [0020] Heat water to boil and then add shredded soap bar. Heat while stirring until all the soap bar dissolves. Appropriate amount of sodium borate and sodium carbonate are mixed and added into the solution. Continue heating until everything dissolves. Let it sit for 2-3 hours to cool down.

Product Functionality and Properties : [0021] To use the product made according to these teachings, the user canjust simply throw the pods in the with laundry. The pods will break down and dissolve within 3 minutes. The inventive soy protein film not only has a high solubility compared with other detergent pod products but also is completely eco-friendly. The soy protein film is completely biodegradable and will cause no damage to the environment after it discharges. The film is also designed into a pale-yellowish color which does not as easily attract children as competing products and thus protects children from swallowing them mistakenly as candy. [0022] The pods prototypes currently use a homemade laundry detergent that uses borax, washing soda and Fels Naphtha soap. However, the detergent inside the pods could be almost any commercially available detergent. [0023] The film of this disclosure is more environmentally friendly than PVA. The process of making the film would require dealing with a solution with a pH of 10 and heating to 75 degrees Celsius. These conditions are manageable and relatively safe. [0024] Detergent pods in general have raised a few issues since they were introduced a few years ago. The first and most important is that the pods resemble candy and many children make the mistake of eating the pods which can be very dangerous and potentially deadly. The color of the pods taught herein is a pale-yellow, and thus looks less appetizing than other pods that use a clear film (PVA). Pods taught herein are less likely to be mistaken for candy or at least less appealing than other detergent pods.

Summary: [0025] Pods of this disclosure are environmentally friendlier, price competitive, more soluble than PVA films. After a large amount of sewage that contains PVA being discharged into ocean for a long period of time, it will cause some major damages to marine animals and sea environment. SPI films can be more soluble and stronger than PVA films. However, to make the film taught herein stronger, is a matter of adjusting the SPI/Glycerol ratio. Glycerol is a plasticizer which makes the film more flexible and soluble, but in turn makes the film weaker so more Glycerol will increase solubility but decrease strength. For purposes of this disclosure, a ratio of 50/50 ratio of SPI and Glycerol results in a film was believed strong enough yet dissolves very quickly. One of skill in the art would readily recognize that the ratio can be varied. Further experiments could be done to optimize. [0026] Adding a color to the film is possible and would most likely be fine for clothes since such a small amount of dye would be needed, however it is believed that the natural soybean color can help deter kids from eating the pods. It is also possible to add other ingredients, e.g., fragrances. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Attitudes toward Single-Dose Detergents. (2015). Laundry Detergents, 98-120. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from Mintel.

Capsules/pods key focus for innovation in laundry market. (2015). Laundry Detergents, 98- 120. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from Mintel.

Chen, L., Reddy, N., & Yang, Y. (2013). Soy proteins as environmentally friendly sizing agents to replace poly(vinyl alcohol). Environmental Science and Pollution Research Environ Sci Pollut Res, 6085-6095.

Chen, S., Han. S., Liu, D., Sun, J., Xiong, J., & Zhan, Z. (2014). Patent No. CN104119491-A. Shanghai Jintang Plastics Technology Co., Ltd.

Find quality Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters, Importers, Buyers, Wholesalers, Products and Trade Leads from our award-winning International Trade Site. Import & Export on alibaba.com. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2016, from http://www.alibaba.com/

Henriette, W., & Georg, A. (2004). U.S. Patent No. 0014631. Gulph Mills, PA: Henkel Corporation.

Hinde, D. C , Landham, R. R., Padget, J. C , & Yeates, T. (1998). Patent No. WO1998021118 Al. Zeneca Ltd.

Household Laundry Products, Market Breakdown. (2015). Laundry Detergents, 98-120.

Kennedy, S. P. (1990). U.S. Patent No. 4973416 A. The procter & gamble company. Mitchell, C. (2009, February 16). 4 Factors That Shape Market Trends. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from t p://w wi nvestop ia.co ai Retrieved December 2, 2015, from Mintel.

Stenger, P. C , Moon, A. P., Miracle, G. S., Menge, U., Schlingloff, G., Backmann, F., & Lindenmaier, A. (2013). U.S. patent No. 0,261,042. The procter & gamble company.

Xiang, A., & Tian, H. (2015). Patent No. CN104629226. Beijing Technology and Business University.

Yu. J. (2013). Patent No. CN102995292 (A). Kunshan Shengyu Non Woven Fabrics Co Ltd. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of making a detergent pod, comprising: (a) mixing water, soy protein isolate and glycerin to form a solution; (b) adjusting the pH of the solution formed in step (a); (c) heating the solution; (d) straining the solution; (e) spreading the solution and allowing time to dry to thereby form a film; and (f) enclosing detergent in the film formed in step (e).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises increasing the pH of the solution formed in step (a) to between about 9 and 11.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises using sodium hydroxide.

4. A detergent pod, comprising soy protein isolate and glycerin. A . CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER CUD 17/04(2006.01)i, CUD 7/26(2006.01)i, CUD ll/00(2006.01)i

According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC B. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) C D 17/04; C D 1700; C D 1/66; C D 3/382; C D 9/60; C D 3/60; C D 17/00; C D 7/26; C D 11/00

Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched Korean utility models and applications for utility models Japanese utility models and applications for utility models

Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used) eKOMPASS(KIPO internal) & Keywords: detergent pod, water, soy protein, glycerin, solution, pH, heat, strain, spread, dry, enclose, film

DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT

Category' Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No.

US 2015-0105310 Al (HUDSON , ALICE) 16 Apr i l 2015 See paragraphs [0008] , [0021] , [0032] , [0046] , [0050] ; c l aim 11 ; and Examp l e s 1-3 . 1-3

US 6815410 B2 (BOUTIQUE , JEAN-POL e t a l . ) 09 November 2004 1-3 See c o lumn 8 , l ines 30-50 ; and c l aims 15, 16.

CN 103897830 A (QINGDAO J INLIANXIN BUSINESS AND TRADE CO. , LTD . ) 02 July 1-4 2014 See paragraphs [0007] - [ 0009 ] .

US 2003-0119696 Al ( INGRAM, BARRY THOMAS e t a l . ) 26 June 2003 1-4 See paragraphs [0014] , [0019] ; and c l aims 1 , 2 , 9 .

US 4251383 A (KEMP , FREDERICK W. ) 17 February 1981 1-4 See the who l e document .

I IFurther documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. See patent family annex.

* Special categories of cited documents: "T" later document published after the international filing date or priority "A" document defining the general state of the art which is not considered date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand to be of particular relevance the principle or theory underlying the invention "E" earlier application or patent but published on or after the international "X" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be filing date considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive "L" document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is step when the document is taken alone cited to establish the publication date of another citation or other "Y" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be special reason (as specified) considered to involve an inventive step when the document is "O" document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other combined with one or more other such documents,such combination means being obvious to a person skilled in the art "P" document published prior to the international filing date but later "&" document member of the same patent family than the priority date claimed Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report 05 June 2017 (05.06.2017) 07 June 2017 (07.06.2017)

Name and mailing address of the ISA/KR Authorized officer International Application Division Korean Intellectual Property Office CHO, Ki Yun » 189 Cheongsa-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon, 35208, Republic of Korea

Facsimile No. +82-42-481-8578 Telephone No. +82-42-481-5655 Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (January 2015) Information on patent family members PCT/US2017/023385

Patent document Publication Patent family Publication cited in search report date member(s) date

US 2015-0105310 Al 16/04/2015 None

US 6815410 B2 09/11/2004 AU 2003-233482 Al 03/11/2003 BR 0309353 A 15/02/2005 CA 2480400 Al 30/10/2003 EP 1354939 Al 22/10/2003 MX PA04010271 A 03/02/2005 US 2003-0199414 Al 23/10/2003 WO 03-089562 Al 30/10/2003

CN 103897830 A 02/07/2014 None

US 2003-0119696 Al 26/06/2003 AU 2001-45615 Al 12/11/2001 EP 1276835 Al 22/01/2003 GB 2361689 A 31/10/2001 WO 01-83661 Al 08/11/2001

US 4251383 A 17/02/1981 AU 4721279 A 13/12/1979 AU 524815 B2 07/10/1982 AU 5700980 A 02/10/1980 DE 2922880 Al 20/12/1979 DE 2922880 C2 09/03/1989 GB 2022609 A 19/12/1979 GB 2022609 B 11/08/1982 H 2784 A 13/01/1984

Form PCT/ISA/2 10 (patent family annex) (January 20 15)