The present invention relates to a packaged detergent composition comprising a container that at least partly disintegrates in an aqueous environment. The invention is particularly useful in automatic dishwashing machines and laundry washing machines.

It is known to use packaged detergent compositions, disintegrating in an aqueous environment, for example, because of being made of water-soluble material. Such containers can simply be added to water in order to dissolve or disperse its contents therein.

It is also known to manufacture such containers having more than one compartment to enable presence in the same container of compositions having some kind of mutual incompatibility.

It has equally been proposed to enclose more than one composition in the same compartment of such package, which may then have one, or more than one compartment.

Examples of this can be found in Swiss patent application number 347 930, European patent application number EP 0 233 027 A2 and European patent number EP 0 507 404 Bl.

It has been found, however, that when entities, having a relatively big size (more than 2.5 mm), are packaged within a container of the above type comprising a liquid composition these entities may interact with the walls of the packages developing a number of potential problems.

A first undesirable type of interaction is a chemical interaction and may arise when the composition of the entities comprises a substance with some degree of incompatibility with the material of the [water-soluble] container. Examples of these situations may arise when a solid comprising a cross- linking agent (i. e. borate) are contained in [water-soluble] a container made of polyol materials (i. e. polyvinyl alcohol) or when a solid comprising a strong oxidant (i. e. chlorine bleach) are contained within a container made of an oxidation sensitive material. This type of interaction may cause from one side a loss of integrity of the package but also a substantial change of the physical properties of the container (most notably its speed of dissolution).

A second type of interaction is a physical interaction this interaction can damage the material of the container (i. e. by enlarging the size of already existing pores) and cause leakage of the liquid contained in the container.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a packaged detergent composition of the above described type avoiding at least the second of (physical interaction), preferably both (chemical and physical.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a packaged detergent composition comprising a container that at least partly disintegrates in an aqueous environment, the container having at least one compartment, the detergent composition having a fluid phase and containing a second container that at least partly disintegrates in an aqueous environment, characterised in that the second container comprises a gas present in an amount of between 10-50% of its internal volume.

The present invention provides for a surprisingly simple solution to the above mentioned problems.

Preferably the gas comprises air. Alternatively the gas may comprise one or more of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen or a halogen or an admixture thereof. With the gas content preferably the second container has a lower overall density than the fluid phase. With this arrangement it has been found that a number of advantages are realised. A principle advantage is that it precludes adherence of the second container to the (bottom) of the container. In doing so, in use, the second container is easily extracted from the container and additionally the possibility of residue build-up (by poor or no extraction) is prevented.

A supplementary advantage impacts on the production process. As the second container has a lower overall density than the fluid phase this allows for the filling of the container with fluid and the second container without danger of the presence of the second container causing any overfilling of the container. This would otherwise affect negatively on sealing of the container and soiling of the production machinery.

The presence of the second container allows for the preparation of a container wherein the content of the second container is not compatible with other components of the detergent formulation / packaging materials, thus enhancing the flexibility of the formulation of the overall container and its performance in use. As an example the second container may contains a strong alkaline material, e.g. a solid alkaline material, which may be used to enhance the cleaning power of the detergent. The presence of the second container allows for this a strong alkaline material separated from the fluid phase and in doing so this is advantageous as if the alkali were in the fluid phase;, the alkali would affect the solubility of the container as it would detrimentally affect the integrity of the packing material; the stability of certain detergent components (which is benefited by the presence of the alkali when in use but not in storage), e.g. enzymes, would be detrimentally affected.

Preferably the fluid phase has a density in the range l-2g/cm ³ , more preferably l-1.5g/cm ³ , more preferably l-1.2g/cm ³ , e.g. about 1.05g/cm ³ . Preferably the overall density of the second container has a lower overall density than the fluid phase. Preferably the overall density of the second container is up to 99% of density of the fluid phase.

Preferred relative sizes of the second container are such that the space within the container in which the second container is held is greater 5 times than the space occupied by the second container.

Preferably there are no more than 5, preferably less than 3, individual second container in the container. Preferably there is only one discrete second container within a single container. In all executions under the present invention the packaging may be formed using different techniques known to the expert in the field of forming water-soluble packaging. As non-limiting examples of such techniques one can mention techniques making use of processes of moulding the water-soluble raw material of the packaging, especially injection moulding or blow moulding, and also techniques making use of a preformed film of water-soluble material such as thermoforming, vertical form fill- sealing or horizontal form-fill-sealing.

In the case of techniques making use of preformed film materials, the film may be a single film, or a multi-layer film, such as a laminated film as disclosed in GB-A-2,244, 258. While a single film may have pinholes, multi-layer films are unlikely to have pinholes, which coincide.

The film itself may be produced by any process, for example by extrusion and blowing or by casting. The film may be unoriented, monoaxially oriented or biaxially oriented. If the layers in the film are oriented, they usually have the same orientation, although their planes of orientation may be different, if desired. The layers in a multi-layer film / laminate may be the same or different. Thus, they may each comprise the same polymer or a different polymer.

Examples of water-soluble polymers which may be used in a single layer film or in one or more layers of a multi-layer film / laminate or which may be used for injection moulding or blow moulding are poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and gelatine. An example of a preferred PVOH is ethoxylated PVOH. The PVOH may be partially or fully alcoholised or hydrolysed. For example it may be from 40 to 100%, preferably from 70 to 92%, more preferably about 88% or about 92%, alcoholised or hydrolysed. The degree of hydrolysis is known to influence the temperature at which the PVOH starts to dissolve in water. 88% hydrolysis corresponds to a film soluble in cold (i. e. room temperature) water, whereas 92% hydrolysis corresponds to a film soluble in warm water.

The thickness of the film used to produce the container, which may be in the form of a pocket, is preferably 40 to 300μιη, more preferably 40 to 200μιη, especially 40-to 160μιη, more especially 40 to 150μιη, e.g. about 65μιη.

In one possible execution using film material the packaging may be formed by, for example, vacuum forming or thermoforming. For example, in a thermoforming process the film may be drawn down or blown down into a mould. Thus, for example, the film is heated to the thermoforming temperature using a thermoforming heater plate assembly, and then drawn down under vacuum or blown down under pressure into the mould. Plug-assisted thermoforming and pre-stretching the film, for example by blowing the film away from the mould before thermoforming, may, if desired, be used. One skilled in the art can choose an appropriate temperature, pressure or vacuum and dwell time to achieve an appropriate pocket. The amount of vacuum or pressure and the thermoforming temperature used depend on the thickness and porosity of the film and on the polymer or mixture of polymers being used. Thermoforming of PVOH films is known and described in, for example, WO 00/55045.

A suitable forming temperature for PVOH or ethoxylated PVOH is, for example, from 90 to 130°C, especially 90 to 120°C. A suitable forming pressure is, for example, 69 to 138kPa (10 to 20 p. s. i.), especially 83 to 117kPa (12 to 17 p. s. i.). A suitable forming vacuum is 0 to 4kPa (0 to 40 mbar), especially 0 to 2kPa (0 to 20 mbar). A suitable dwell time is, for example, 0.4 to 2.5 seconds, especially 2 to 2.5 seconds.

While desirably conditions are chosen within the above ranges, it is possible to use one or more of these parameters outside the above ranges, although it may be necessary to compensate by changing the values of the other two parameters.

When the container comprises more than one compartment, each compartment may be formed by any of the above mentioned techniques.

The compartments are then filled with the desired compositions. The compartments may be completely filled or only partially filled. The solid may be, for example, a particulate or granulated solid, or a tablet. The liquid may be non-aqueous or aqueous, for example comprising less than or more than 5% total or free water.

Overall the container may contain more than one component; for instance it may contain two components which are incompatible with each other. It may also contain a component, which is incompatible with the part of the container enclosing the other component. For example, the second composition may be incompatible with the part of the container enclosing the first composition.

In this regard it is preferred that the contents of the second container are in a different physical format and/ or incompatible with a component of the fluid phase. Thus preferably the contents of the second container comprise a particulate material. Preferred examples of particulate material include alkalis. Most preferably the alkali has a low hydration coefficient. By having a low hydration coefficient it has been found that any problematic dissolution / dispersion issues (in use and / or in storage prior to use) are reduced / eliminated. A preferred example of an alkali which has a low hydration coefficient is sodium bicarbonate.

If it is desired that the container releases the components, it is possible to ensure that the components are released at different times. Thus, for instance, one composition can be released immediately the container is added to water, whereas the other may be released later.

This may be achieved by having a compartment, which takes longer to dissolve surrounding one of the compositions, which may be either the first or the second composition.

This may be achieved, for example, by having different compartment wall thicknesses. Alternatively, the second composition may simply be held on the outside of the sealing member, in which case it can start to dissolve as soon as the article is added to water. In the case of use of a multicompartment packaging different release times may also be achieved by choosing compartments, which dissolve at different temperatures, for example the different temperatures encountered during the cycle of a laundry or dish washing machine.

Alternatively the packaging may be formed of, for example, a moulded composition, especially one produced by injection moulding or blow moulding. The walls of the compartment may, for example, have a thickness of greater than ΙΟΟμιη, for example greater than 150μιη or greater than 200μιη, 300μιη, 500μιη, 750μιη or 1 mm. Preferably the walls have a thickness of from 200 to 400μιη.

The composition may be a fabric care, surface care or dishwashing composition. Thus, for example, it may be a dishwashing, water softening, laundry or detergent composition, or a rinse aid. Such compositions may be suitable for use in a domestic washing machine. The composition may also be a disinfectant, antibacterial or antiseptic composition, or a refill composition for a trigger-type spray. Such compositions are generally packaged in amounts of from 5 to 100 g, especially from 15 to 40 g. For example, a dishwashing composition may weigh from 15 to 30 g; a water-softening composition may weigh from 15 to 40 g.

The composition, if in liquid form, may be (almost) anhydrous or comprise water, for example at least 5 wt%, more preferably from 5-15wt%, water based on the weight of the aqueous composition.

In case more than one composition is packaged, the compositions may be the same or different. If they are different, they may, nevertheless, have one or more individual components in common.

In a possible execution a sealing member is placed on top of the first compartment previously filled and sealed thereto.

The sealing member may be produced by, for example, injection moulding or blow moulding. It may also be in the form of a film. The sealing member may optionally comprise a second composition at the time it is placed on top of the first compartment. This may be held or otherwise adhered on the sealing member. For example it can be in the form of a solid composition such as a ball or pill held on the sealing member by an adhesive or mechanical means. This is especially appropriate when the sealing member has a degree of rigidity, such as when it has been produced by injection moulding. It is also possible for a previously prepared container containing the second composition to be adhered to the sealing member. For example, a sealing member in the form of a film may have a filled compartment containing a composition attached thereto.

The second composition or compartment may be held on either side of the sealing member such that it is inside or outside the first compartment.

Generally, however, the second composition is held within a second compartment in the sealing member. This is especially appropriate when the sealing member is flexible, for example in the form of a film.

The sealing member is placed on top of the first compartment and sealed thereto. For example the sealing member in the form of a film may be placed over a filled pocket and across the sealing portion, if present, and the films sealed together at the sealing portion. In general there is only one second compartment or composition in or on the sealing member, but it is possible to have more than one second compartment or composition, if desired, for example 2 or 3 second compartments or compositions.

The second container may be formed by any technique. For example it can be formed by vertical form fill sealing the second composition within a film, such as by the process described in WO 89/12587. It can also be formed by having an appropriate shape for injection moulding.

However, it is preferred to use a vacuum forming or thermoforming technique, such as that previously described in relation to the first compartment of the container of the present invention. Thus, for example, a pocket surrounded by a sealing portion is formed into a film, the pocket is filled with the second composition, a film is placed on top of the filled pocket and across the sealing portion and the films are sealed together at the sealing portion. In general, however, the film placed on top of the filled pocket to form the second compartment does not itself comprise a further compartment.

Further details of this thermoforming process are generally the same as those given above in relation to the first compartment of the container of the present invention. All of the above details are incorporated by reference thereto, with the following differences:

The thickness of the film comprising the second container may also be less than the thickness of the film making up the first compartment of the container of the present invention, because the film is not subjected to as much localised stretching in the thermoforming step. It is also desirable to have a thickness which is less than that of the film used to form the first compartment to ensure a sufficient heat transfer through the film to soften the base web, if heat sealing is used.

The thickness of the covering film is generally from 20 to 160μιη, preferably from 40 to ΙΟΟμιη, such as 40 to 80μιη.

This film may be a single-layered film, but is desirably laminated to reduce the possibility of pinholes allowing leakage through the film. The film may be the same as or different from the film forming the first compartment. If two or more films are used to form the film comprising the second compartment, the films may be the same or different. Examples of suitable films are those given for the film forming the first compartment.

The first compartment and the sealing member may be sealed together by any suitable means, for example by means of an adhesive or by heat sealing. Mechanical means is particularly appropriate if both have been prepared by injection moulding. Other methods of sealing include infrared, radio frequency, ultrasonic, laser, solvent, vibration and spin welding. An adhesive such as an aqueous solution of PVOH may also be used. The seal desirably is water-soluble if the containers are water- soluble.

If heat sealing is used, a suitable sealing temperature is, for example, 120 to 195°C, for example 140 to 150°C. A suitable sealing pressure is, for example, from 250 to 600kPa. Examples of sealing pressures are 276 to 552kPa (40 to 80 p. s. i.), especially 345 to 483kPa (50 to 70 p. s. i.) or 400 to 800kPa (4 to 8 bar), especially 500 to 700kPa (5 to 7 bar) depending on the heat-sealing machine used. Suitable sealing dwell times are 0.4 to 2.5 seconds.

One skilled in the art can use an appropriate temperature, pressure and dwell time to achieve a seal of the desired integrity. While desirably conditions are chosen within the above ranges, it is possible to use one or more of these parameters outside the above ranges, although it might be necessary to compensate by changing the values of the other two parameters.

If more than one container is formed at the same time from the same sheet, the containers may then be separated from each other, for example by cutting the sealing portions, or flanges. Alternatively, they may be left conjoined and, for example, perforations provided between the individual containers so that they can be easily separated a later stage, for example by a consumer. If the containers are separated, the flanges may be left in place. However, desirably the flanges are partially removed in order to provide an even more attractive appearance. Generally the flanges remaining should be as small as possible for aesthetic purposes while bearing in mind that some flange is required to ensure the two films remain adhered to each other. A flange having a width of 1 mm to 8 mm is desirable, preferably 2 mm to 7 mm, most preferably about 5 mm.

The containers may themselves be packaged in outer containers if desired, for example non-water soluble containers, which are removed, before the water-soluble containers are used.

The containers produced by the process of the present invention, especially when used for a fabric care, surface care or dishwashing composition, may have a maximum dimension of 10 cm, excluding any flanges. For example, a container may have a length of 1 to 8 cm, especially 3 to 6 cm, a width of 1 to 8 cm, especially 3 to 6 cm, and a height of 1 to 4 cm, especially 1 to 3 cm.

The overall container generally contains a composition having a mass of at least 10 g or 15 g, for example, from 10 g or 15 g to 100 g, especially from 10 g to 15 g to 40 g. For example, a dishwashing composition may weigh from 10 g or 15 g to 20 g, a water-softening composition may weigh from 25 g to 35 g, and a laundry composition may weigh from 10 g to 40 g, 20 g to 40 g or 30 g to 40 g.

Generally the second container makes up a fraction of the overall mass. A preferred mass of the second container is from 0.5g-10g, more preferably lg-7g and most preferably 1.5g-5g.

The ingredients of the compositions depend on the use of such compositions. Thus, for example, the composition may contain surface-active agents such as an anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surface-active agents or mixtures thereof. Examples of anionic surfactants are straight-chained or branched alkyi sulfates and alkyi polyalkoxylated sulfates, also known as alkyi ether sulfates. Such surfactants may be produced by the sulfation of higher C ₈ -C ₂ o fatty alcohols.

Examples of primary alkyi sulfate surfactants are those of formula: OS0 ₃ M+ wherein R is a linear C ₈ - C ₂ o hydrocarbyl group and M is a water-solubilising cation, for example C ₁₂ -C _u , and M is alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

Examples of secondary alkyi sulfate surfactants are those which have the sulfate moiety on a "backbone" of the molecule, for example those of formula:

CH ₂ (CH ₂ ) n (CHOSO3-M) (CH ₂ ) mCH ₃ wherein m and n are independently 2 or more, the sum of m+n typically being 6 to 20, for example 9 to 15, and M is a water-solubilising cation such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

Especially preferred secondary alkyi sulfates are the (2,3) alkyi sulfate surfactants of formulae: CH ₂ (CH ₂ ) x (CHOSO3-M+) CH3 and

CH3 (CH ₂ ) x (CHOSO3-M+) CH ₂ CH ₃ for the 2-sulfate and 3-sulfate, respectively. In these formulae x is at least 4, for example 6 to 20, preferably 10 to 16. M is cation, such as an alkali metal, for example lithium, sodium or potassium.

Examples of alkoxylated alkyi sulfates are ethoxylated alkyi sulfates of the formula:

RO (C ₂ H ₄ 0) nS0 ₃ -M+ wherein R is a C ₈ -C ₂₀ alkyi group, preferably Ci ₀ -Ci ₈ such as a Ci ₂ -Ci ₆ , n is at least 1, for example from 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 15, especially 1 to 6, and M is a salt- forming cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium or alkanolammonium. These compounds can provide especially desirable fabric cleaning performance benefits when used in combination with alkyi sulfates.

The alkyi sulfates and alkyi ether sulfates will generally be used in the form of mixtures comprising varying alkyi chain lengths and, if present, varying degrees of alkoxylation.

Other anionic surfactants, which may be employed, are salts of fatty acids, for example C ₈ -Ci ₈ fatty acids, especially the sodium or potassium salts, and alkyi, for example C ₉ -C ₁₅ , benzene sulfonates.

Examples of nonionic surfactants are fatty alcohol alkoxylates, such as fatty alcohol ethoxylates, especially those of formula:

R (C ₂ H ₄ 0) nOH wherein R is a straight or branched alkyi group, preferably a C ₉ -C ₁₅ , for example C ₁₀ - Ci4, alkyi group and n is at least 1, for example from 1 to 16, preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 3 to 10.

The alkoxylated fatty alcohol nonionic surfactant will frequently have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) which ranges from 3 to 17, more preferably from 6 to 15, most preferably from 10 to 15.

Examples of fatty alcohol ethoxylates are those made from alcohols of 12 to 15 carbon atoms and which contain about 7 moles of ethylene oxide. Such materials are commercially marketed under the trademarks Neodol 25-7 and Neodol 23-6.5 by Shell Chemical Company. Other useful Neodols include Neodol 1-5, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol averaging 11 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; Neodol 23-9, an ethoxylated primary Ci ₂ -Ci ₃ alcohol having about 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and Neodol 91-10, an ethoxylated C ₉ -C ₁₅ primary alcohol having about 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

Alcohol ethoxylates of this type have also been marketed by Shell Chemical Company under the Dobanol trademark. Dobanol 91-5 is an ethoxylated C ₉ -Ci ₅ fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles ethylene oxide and Dobanol 25-7 is an ethoxylated C12-Cls fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.

Other examples of suitable ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants include Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-S-9, both of which are linear secondary alcohol ethoxylates available from Union Carbide Corporation.

Tergitol 15-S-7 is a mixed ethoxylated product of a Cn-Ci ₅ linear secondary alkanol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and Tergitol 15-S-9 is the same but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.

Other suitable alcohol ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are Neodol 45-11, which is a similar ethylene oxide condensation product of a fatty alcohol having 14- 15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mole being about 11. Such products are also available from Shell Chemical Company.

Further nonionic surfactants are, for example, Ci ₀ -Ci ₈ alkyl polyglycosides, such as Ci ₂ -Ci ₆ alkyl polyglycosides, especially the polyglucosides. These are especially useful when high foaming compositions are desired. Further surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as Gio-Cia N- (3-methoxypropyl) glucamides and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers of the Pluronic type.

Examples of cationic surfactants are those of the quaternary ammonium type.

The total content of surfactants in the composition is desirably 60 to 95 wt%, especially 75 to 90 wt%.

Desirably an anionic surfactant is present in an amount of 50 to 75 wt%, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of 5 to 20 wt%, and/or the cationic surfactant is present in an amount of from 0 to 20 wt%. The amounts are based on the total solids content of the composition, i. e. excluding any solvent, which may be present.

The composition, particularly when used as laundry washing or dishwashing composition, may also comprise enzymes, such as protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase, mannanase, pectinase and peroxidase enzymes. Desirably the enzymes are present in the composition in an amount of from 0.5 to 3 wt%, especially 1 to 2 wt%.

The composition may, if desired, comprise a thickening agent or gelling agent. Suitable thickeners are polyacrylate polymers. Other suitable thickeners are xanthan gums. The thickener, if present, is generally present in an amount of from 0.2 to 4 wt%, especially 0.5 to 2 wt%.

Dishwasher compositions usually comprise a detergency builder. Suitable builders are alkali metal or ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polyphosphonates, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, polyhydroxysulfonates, polyacetates, carboxylates such as citrates, and polycarboxylates. The builder is desirably present in an amount of up to 90 wt%, preferably 15 to 90 wt%, more preferable 15 to 75 wt%, relative to the total weight of the composition. Further details of suitable components are given in, for example, EP-A-694,059, EP-A- 518,720 and WO 99/06522.

The compositions can also optionally comprise one or more additional ingredients. These include conventional detergent composition components such as further surfactants, bleaches, bleach enhancing agents, builders, suds boosters or suds suppressors, anti-tarnish and anticorrosion agents, organic solvents, co-solvents, phase stabilisers, emulsifying agents, preservatives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides, pH adjusting agents or buffers, non-builder alkalinity sources, chelating agents, clays such as smectite clays, enzyme stabilisers, anti-limescale agents, colorants, dyes, hydrotropes, dye transfer inhibiting agents, brighteners, and perfumes. If used, such optional ingredients will generally constitute no more than 10 wt%, for example from 1 to 6 wt%, the total weight of the compositions.

The builders counteract the effects of calcium, or other ion, water hardness encountered during laundering or bleaching use of the compositions herein. Examples of such materials are citrate, succinate, malonate, carboxymethyl succinate, carboxylate, polycarboxylate and polyacetyl carboxylate salts, for example with alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cations, or the corresponding free acids. Specific examples are sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, Ci ₀ -C fatty acids and citric acid. Other examples are organic phosphonate type sequestering agents such as those sold by Monsanto under the trademark Dequest and alkylhydroxy phosphonates. Citrate salts and fatty acid soaps are preferred.

Other suitable builders are polymers and copolymers known to have builder properties. For example, such materials include appropriate polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and polyacrylic/polymaleic acid copolymers and their salts, such as those sold by BASF under the trademark Sokalan.

The builders generally constitute from 0 to 3 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 1 wt%, by weight of the compositions.

Compositions, which comprise an enzyme, may optionally contain materials, which maintain the stability of the enzyme. Such enzyme stabilisers include, for example, polyols such as propylene glycol, and glycerol. Combinations of these enzyme stabilisers may also be employed. If utilised, the enzyme stabilisers generally constitute from 0.1 to 5 wt% of the compositions.

The compositions may optionally comprise materials, which serve as phase stabilisers and/or co- solvents.

Examples are Ci-C ₃ alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and propanol. Ci-C ₃ alkanolamines such as mono-, di-and triethanolamines can also be used, by themselves or in combination with the alcohols. The phase stabilisers and/or co-solvents can, for example, constitute 0 to 20 wt%, of the composition.

The compositions may optionally comprise components, which adjust or maintain the pH of the compositions at optimum levels. The pH may be from, for example, 1 to 13, such as 8 to 11 depending on the nature of the composition. For example a dishwashing composition desirably has a pH of 8 to 11, a laundry composition desirable has a pH of 7 to 9, and a water-softening composition desirably has a pH of 7 to 9. Examples of pH adjusting agents are NaOH and citric acid.

The primary composition and the secondary composition may be appropriately chosen depending on the desired use of the article. If the article is for use in laundry washing, the first composition may comprise, for example, a detergent, and the second composition may comprise a bleach, stain remover, water-softener, enzyme or fabric conditioner.

The article may be adapted to release the compositions at different times during the laundry wash. For example, a fabric conditioner is generally released at the end of a wash.

If the article is for use as a fabric conditioner, the first composition may comprise a fabric conditioner and the second composition may comprise an enzyme, which is released before or after the fabric conditioner in a rinse cycle.

If the article is for use in dish washing the first composition may comprise a detergent and the second composition may comprise a water-softener, salt, enzyme, rinse aid, bleach or bleach activator. The article may be adapted to release the compositions at different times during the laundry wash. For example, a rinse aid, bleach or bleach activator is generally released at the end of a wash, and a water softener, salt or enzyme is generally released at the start of a wash.