A film-forming composition for use in preparing water-soluble films that
are rapidly dissolving under cold water conditions, the composition
comprising a water soluble polymer material such as polyvinyl alcohol and
a principal solvent, typically diol(s) or derivative of a diol. Films
made from the film-forming compositions may be used to encapsulate a
variety of compositions for subsequent release into an aqueous medium.
Encapsulated compositions can include various laundry detergents and
additives, fabric care compositions such as fabric softening compositions
and dishwashing detergents among others. When used to encapsulate
compositions, the solvent system used in the film-forming composition
will have at least one common solvent material as the solvent system used
in the encapsulated composition to improve film dissolution and to
prevent problems associated with solvent migration.