Fluorescent tracer for water-soluble films, related methods, and related articles

A tracer composition comprising:

• a homogeneous mixture comprising:
• a water-insoluble fluorophore having a first fluorescence emission spectrum comprising at least one characteristic emission wavelength when exposed to electromagnetic radiation comprising a characteristic excitation wavelength for the fluorophore, the fluorophore being homogeneously dispersed throughout the mixture,
• a water-soluble material having a second fluorescence emission spectrum which is distinct from the first fluorescence emission spectrum when exposed to the same electromagnetic radiation comprising the characteristic excitation wavelength for the fluorophore, the water-soluble material being homogeneously mixed in solution throughout the mixture, and
• at least one of water and a water-miscible solvent as a medium for the water-insoluble fluorophore and the water-soluble material.

A water-soluble polymer composition comprising:

• a solid mixture comprising:
• a water-soluble polymer,
• a fluorophore having a first fluorescence emission spectrum comprising at least one characteristic emission wavelength when exposed to electromagnetic radiation comprising a characteristic excitation wavelength for the fluorophore, the fluorophore being homogeneously distributed throughout the mixture, and
• a material having a second fluorescence emission spectrum which is distinct from the first fluorescence emission spectrum when exposed to the electromagnetic radiation comprising the characteristic excitation wavelength for the fluorophore, the material being homogeneously distributed throughout the mixture;
• wherein:
• when the water-soluble polymer composition is dissolved and mixed in water to form a dissolved composition, the fluorophore remains homogeneously distributed throughout the dissolved composition.

A method for forming a water-soluble polymer composition, the method comprising:

• mixing a water-soluble polymer and a tracer composition to form a polymer-fluorophore-material blend, wherein the tracer composition comprises a homogeneous mixture comprising:
• a fluorophore having a first fluorescence emission spectrum comprising at least one characteristic emission wavelength when exposed to electromagnetic radiation comprising a characteristic excitation wavelength for the fluorophore, the fluorophore being homogeneously distributed throughout the mixture, and
• a material having a second fluorescence emission spectrum which is distinct from the first fluorescence emission spectrum when exposed to the electromagnetic radiation comprising the characteristic excitation wavelength for the fluorophore, the material being homogeneously distributed throughout the mixture;
• and
• forming the polymer-fluorophore-material blend into a solid water-soluble polymer composition, wherein the fluorophore and the material are homogeneously distributed throughout the water-soluble polymer composition.